Tonight I got to have a glimpse – just a shadow, or a dim reflection – of what it will be like to look into the eyes of Jesus. Those of you who were there know what I’m talking about. (SK – “And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”) I had the joy of watching Brad Sherrill perform the entire Gospel of John solo at my church. He very simply and very literally brought the gospel to life before our eyes. He didn’t remain confined to the stage – he moved in (did you guys notice?) a cross across the front of the church and down the center aisle. As he spoke the words of Christ, he would occasionally stop, lean over, and speak the words of the Word Made Flesh nose to nose with someone in the audience.
I don’t pretend to think that he chose any of us for any particular reason, but I do know that in my case he had to have been moved by the very Holy Spirit of God to speak a word to me. Whether he knew it or not, I don’t know, but he spoke the truth of Christ to my soul, the very words I’ve been searching for for months and that have been right under my nose all along.
Hear John 14:1-4 - ”Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Then John 17:33 - ”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Nose to nose. Holding my hand. I could just swoon right here. How great is our God.
Please don’t misunderstand my emotion. The overflow of my heart is due to the gift of a servant bringing to life the old, old story. I am more in love with Jesus tonight than I have ever been. Which was God’s purpose in my attendance tonight. I’m too overwhelmed right now to get into the specifics of why this was such a timely word for me, but I wanted to get the memory down while it was still fresh. Thanks for letting me indulge just a bit, and testify to God’s providence and tenderness.
And He did the same for me with my current crisis. What left me was “Peace be with you .” Over and over. And God spoke to my heart. You can read it on my blog.
I found it very powerful…
When he came and leaned in to me…I thought he was going to go nose to nose…his eyes were intentional and very focused…and he said, John 15:27 ,
“And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. “… and then he was gone.
Isn’t it amazing how each incident spoke to each of us…since the beginning He knew us…it’s like what I wrote yesterday about CK’s birthday…He determined the time…He will not leave us…and He wants us testifying about Him…sharing His spirit…loving each other
I have to share the funny He gave me…
a few minutes after pondering what he had said to me, I thought … oh no, I was confirmed as an old woman…with Him since the beginning of time…but that’s ok, I’d rather look 49 than as old as Eve…
SK : )
That is completely awesome. It boggles my mind to think how many ways He uses to let us know that He’s there and that He cares.
You are on an amazing journey, and I’m so happy you had that affirmation.
Love you!
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Man, I hate that we missed that…we were “flower girlin” don’tcha know. I hope I have an opportunity to see that sometime in the future – SOONER than later.
Hey, those pop-up bubble things make me feel like I’m watching “Pop-Up Video” from back in the day….gotta say it’s just a hair ANNOYING but other than that – I like yer new blogosphere.
I have to ditto Leslie, I hate that we missed this opportunity. I know I have only heard amazing things about how powerful it was. I love it when corporately God moves in several people all at the same time. I think He just loves showing off how awsome He really is. I think it is so cool that He spoke to so many people and each person had a unique interperitation of what His message was. He spoke individually to all of you, all at the same time. How cool is that!!!!!!!!
That’s what I wanted to talk to you about at Disciple! I couldn’t see well, but I thought that Brad was talking to you and “telling” you that message that you longed to hear! I was so excited for you. Yes, I believe that God leads those who are open to Him. Brad said something to me, and I’m not as good as the rest of you–I can’t remember what part of John it was from. But, he called me Mary (Martha’s sister). How did he know to come to me? I am so much a Mary and not a Martha. I know that there is a message there that I am supposed to figure out. God will show me. But, anyway, my real concern was with you, Whit. I felt that God was speaking right through Brad TO YOU, and I know that were listening! I’m glad that I found this site! I’ll see you again! ~Susan S.