LENT 2011, Sunday, April 10

I am writing on Monday for Sunday!

I missed a day of writing in my blog - and it's O K! I felt bad momentarily this morning when I realized I had missed being faithful in writing in my blog - but God isn't upset with me about it....so I'm choosing not to be either.

Sunday was a day of incredible blessing.

I had the joy of leading worship music in the 8 a m worship service. I prepared faithfully, both in practice and in prayer. And I still messed up! You are wondering how that is a blessing! But it was! Even when we do all we are supposed to do, there can be glitches. It was O K. That was the blessing! I was able to release it without battering myself - though the thought flitted through my mind that I might not be asked to fill that role again. I started singing the words to the wrong tune - the tune for the next song. The first three words were the same for each song - it was an easy error. The point is: usually when I make a mistake that is all I can see. Not this time. I stopped. Apologized, proclaiming, "God is perfect. I am not. I was singing the wrong tune and need to start over." We did.

The afternoon had its own blessings - between worship services - but the one I want to share was our 5 p m Singspiration.

Our last Singspiration was in May 2010. About 60 people attended - and asked for more. So - I expected the same people to show up - and perhaps a few more. The group that was able to make it totaled a group the size of Jesus and his disciples - and we literally got to sit at Jesus' feet, just as they did. Those who came, came to worship, and we did. We sang in honor of our Lord and Savior - about the blood He shed to pay the price for our sin, and then we sang praise songs. Our part of the service - of our musical offering to God - concluded with the reading of Revelation 5 and singing "Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain." I announced that we would have a time of personal prayer, and following that, our pastor would conclude in prayer.

As we praised, the sweet, sweet presence of the LORD filled the place where we were sitting. It was palpable. We were sitting at His feet. I knew exactly what it felt like for 'His train to fill the temple."

God taught me a long time ago not to walk by feeling but by faith - but I can testify to how wonderful it is to have that kind of experience of God's presence in a group - knowing that everyone in the room feels that same sweetness. We didn't want to leave.

God was pleased. What pure joy to know you have been part of something that pleases God. I am so grateful for that opportunity in that moment.

And - He forgave me for not writing my daily blog.... But I am still sorry I didn't. I made a commitment to do this daily - and I can't 'fix' that. I don't take my commitments lightly. Thank you, LORD, for Your loving forgiveness!