John,
Your message last night was wonderful. I can’t wait to watch it again because I know I can’t take in that much good food in one sitting.
Before each meeting, I typically take a few minutes to pray, asking Jesus to bless our gathering. Last evening was no different. I knelt down in my office and asked Jesus to open my heart, mind, and soul to be able to hear what Jesus had to say through you, and to bless any song that I might have the opportunity to sing. I prayed for all of us to be able to take in the testimonies or the songs that others may have. I prayed that our minds would be free from the affairs of our day and open to whatever the Spirit has prepared for us.
Soon afterwards, Suzi and I were ready to walk out the door, get in our car, and drive to the meeting. That’s when we found out that we had been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. So after some thought, we decided that we better stay home.
At first, I felt disappointed. I was really looking forward to going to the meeting. But suddenly, I heard a voice inside me say, “Do you remember what you just prayed? Has anything changed? Do you still want your heart, mind, and soul to be open to what the Spirit has prepared for this evening?” I thought, “Yes, I do.”
When the meeting first started, I put my chair near the TV because it felt good sitting up close. The songs were wonderful. It was the next best thing to being there in person.
Then you began your message. I tried to hang on to each word, which is literally impossible, because if my mind stops to think about something you just said, then you have moved on to something else that I will most likely miss.
I loved everything that you said last night. They were not just words from a carefully crafted sermon. What you said, is you! You are God’s representative. And we have been chosen to be under you, and to take in whatever Jesus gives you. I hope I can take that in fully and value the gift that Jesus has given us.
One last thing, I just finished reading a section in the Father and Son* book titled, Form vs Life. I stood under ministers for years that did a good job of maintaining the rites and rules of the institution. I was taught to believe that one could not get to God without proper participation in the ceremonies led by men of the institution. The institution needs men to uphold these things.
But God!
It is no small thing that Jesus has brought us out from the institution called Christianity. Jesus used you to lead us out. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you, John.
Tom
* Also titled God Had a Son before Mary Did
https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_books.html?tname=fands