There's a Place

Often I wonder if it is only those in the monastic/contemplative bent who can find that special place..."the place"...where they meet God. Of late I've been finding myself in what I believe to be "that place" and being utterly overwhelmed by God's presence.

Sister Theresa of Avila found that place. Other saints through the centuries have found that place. It is a living, breathing place where God takes control of one's body, mind and spirit. And being willing to enter into that place is a very personal decision. Many good Christians view contemplative or quiet time with God to be a waste of time. They contend it's more like transcendental meditation or some New Age pursuit at the expense of studying The Word. I don't fall in that camp.

My first experience where the Holy Spirit totally overwhelmed me was around 1989 when I was praying to let Jesus totally into my life. I had been suffering from a painfully enlarged liver with no medical solution to be found. In that instance it just "happened". A result of that experience was that the liver pain was gone...and it remains gone to this very day. It was decades later before I found myself in "that place" once again. Four years ago when praying with two other men I again experienced being overwhelmed by The Spirit. The result of that experience led me to enter into pastoral ministry. God seems to do extraordinary things in my life after these experiences.

Fast forward to the present. In the past 3 months I've been deliberately setting aside time to sink into deep prayer; praying until the words run dry. My motivation is not to seek an experience, rather, to seek God's heart for healing in the lives of others. I follow the pattern of A.C.T.S. in my prayer:

• Adoration for God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This adoration is so powerful that if you can imagine a medieval peasant being brought before a king to be honored...the trembling sense of unworthiness...the awe that a nobody like you can be in such great presence.
• Confession to God for all my shortcomings. Bring to mind every bad deed, thought, action or inaction that separates one from walking in His will. Complete and total confession that I am a sinner, saved by grace.
• Thankfulness for having the saving knowledge that I am a forgiven child of God. Thankful for each and every blessing...down to having clean water to drink and bathe in; having vision and hearing; food to eat; people who love me; every little thing that reveals God's grace being showered over my life.
• Supplication for those who are suffering. Telling God how my heart aches for those in my world who are fighting difficult battles with whatever their particular demons may be. It's important to note that the supplications ARE NOT for myself. If we have surrendered ourselves to God's will then praying for ourselves is denying that surrender.

When entering into prayer in this manor - motivated by a hurting heart for another - God gives me the reassurance that my prayer is heard. It is in the final part, the supplication, where words run dry because I am not able to adequately express the depth of my pain for the person being prayed for. When the words run dry I find myself speaking in tongues. When I finally manage to stop listening to my words because they sound so strange, that language flows freely from my lips...being the exit from the wellspring of my spirit. Then the words stop. My mouth no longer works. My knees can no longer hold me up. Every muscle is beyond control. Sometimes it stems from a totally overwhelming peace yet at other times a totally overwhelming pressure. Jacob wrestling with God and getting a hip knocked out of joint comes to mind.

There are no appointed times or places for these intense prayer sessions. Again, I'm not seeking some experience, rather, surrendering to a calling to intercede for another. When my spirit gets "stuck" on someone and I can't get their hurt out of my head and heart...then its time to find a time and place to drop to my knees and pray this way Wherever that physical place may be, it becomes "the place" where God stops me from what I'm all about in order to let me know what He's all about.

Christian Healing is More Prevalent than Most Think

I've been examining my personal recordings of how, when and where God healed in my presence. It's staggering! More importantly, I've been asking of other pastors who have an active healing ministry what they've observed. Again, it's staggering! Of us United Methodists who participate in one form of healing ministry or another, I've observed that there are a lot of UMC chaplaincies withing the Order of St. Luke the Physician. It's an international order of believers in the current, real, and true healings that take place in the name of Jesus Christ. Again, staggering.

I mention this because it is my belief that more and more healing takes place in large and small UMC congregations without being made headline news. I can tell of emphysema, heart and blood disorders, cancer, broken bones and more being positively affected by healing prayer. In some cases, merely being positively affected...in others, being totally healed. It's awesome, yet underreported.

I issue no plea for testimonials...just make the statement that healing is more prevalent...much more prevalent...than regular media would report. God is alive and at work through the power of the Holy Spirit...more than many fear to attest. Fear or not...it's TRUE!

Healing Revival Tonight in a Rural Alabama Methodist Church

Tonight was the culmination of a 4 night revival for the church I pastor. I've been there since late May and they've been told via my sermons and prayer meetings that I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, specifically, as it relates to the sign-gift of healing. Sunday through Tuesday was all about the power of the Holy Spirit, specifically, being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Tonight, it was the final night and the Holy Spirit was present....INDEED! Eight people (from an attendance of about 40) came for healing. More powerfully, I asked everyone to close their eyes and be in prayer for everyone there, and I asked who wanted healing prayer without having to come publicly - to receive it where they sat. Three quarters of those there raised their hands. What an awesome God we serve.

First things first...of those who came for healing we prayed for suicidal tendencies, demonic possession, as well as diabetes, arthritis, lung disorder, addiction to alcohol, cancer and other maladies. The expressions of those for whom prayer was administered moved the entire congregation. More specifically, each one prayed for felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. I was so totally drained from the prayer that the prayer team sat me down in the prayer seat and prayed over me until I was able to continue the service. (I didn't realize that it was so obvious that I was drained and depleted...but their prayers worked wonderfully and I continued.) Then came the most challenging, demanding, prayerful experience I've ever had in the healing ministry.

A young husband came to the alter for prayer. He had just recently lost his mother (a week ago) and was in a terribly difficult situation with his step father about everything. He was forbidden to attend his own mother's funeral. He was distraught. When I looked him in the eyes and asked what he wanted prayer for, his eyes became bloodshot and he said...."I want to leave my wife. I want to leave my child to be. I want to leave this world. I don't want anything good." At once I realized that I was talking with a young man who was possessed. Rather than anoint him one time with the sign of the cross with oil, it was put on my heart to anoint him three times. I looked him in the eyes and asked if he wanted deliverance. He shrugged. I asked again...he shrugged. Then I called him by name twice and he said yes.

I've only once before been called upon by Our Lord to cast out demons and I was weak in faith at that time...but I couldn't resist the word of God as it pertained to this young man. I tried to sit him down but he resisted. I tried again and he resisted again. I said..."In the name of Jesus accept His love". He sat down. He looked at me with piercing, bloodshot eyes and I asked him if he was ready for healing prayer. He didn't say anything. I told him I was going to pray for him whether he wanted it or not. I complimented him on beating down the resistance to make his way to the alter. So we prayed. There were 5 prayer warriors plus me praying for him. And we prayed. Without knowing the names of the demons in him (and not wanting to know their names) I prayed over him saying that Jesus knew who was trying to control his life and in the name of Jesus they are to be bound and cast from him. I was moved to bind and cast out 3 different demons in this young man in the name of Jesus Christ.

At once, his bloodshot eyes became clear. He proclaimed Christ as the ruler of his life. His countenance became one of calm and peace. But we didn't stop there. We continued to pray over him for strength and perseverance in Christ for the moments, days and weeks ahead. Oh what a glorious time it was in the service of our risen Lord.

We closed the service by praying for those who lifted their hands earlier that didn't want to be publicly brought into the love of The Lord. My friends, it was a powerful ending to a wonderful 4 nights of revival. Indeed, revival happened in our rural church in Alabama. It happened in ME!

In Christ....

We're Leading Up To Healing Revival, Wednesday

The theme of the revival this year at our little rural church is Baptism In The Holy Spirit. I've been talking about how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not limited to those early Apostles, rather, for all believers who succumb to and totally submit to the presence of the Holy Spirit in themselves. It is an awesome thing to let Christ live through us today. When reflecting upon John 17: 20-22, it is apparent that we are here now, to be Christ for the world.

As Christ healed...we heal. Period. I've witnessed everything from freedom from terminal cancer to beyond...and it is awesome to behold. Are we worthy? The question I would ask is are we willing? I am willing. Are YOU?

The last thing I seek is to make hippocrates of anyone in the healing ministry. Rather, may we be subject to His will? I make myself subject to His will in these regards while I'm unworthy, yet willing. In a back-handed way I ask, can we all? Let us be subject to His will and create new persons in Christ, through the mystery and majesty of His presence. I'm awed by His presence. Aren't we all? In His name I pray...Amen.

Revival Preaching Night Two

Tonight I was able to use some of the material I had worked on so hard to be a part of the sermon. I say "some" because of the 5 typewritten pages of material, I used 2 illustrations and 2 sermon passages. The rest was not what I had planned, rather, what God wanted to be said. And powerful it was! With attendance of about 40 people, a father and his very young son came to the alter. A stalwart of the church that most would perceive as being one who wouldn't do such a thing, came to the alter for prayer. A woman whom most would think had it all together, came to the alter for prayer.

When the service was over, one man who I thought slept through the service shook my hand so vigorously that I thought he was going to take it home with him. His wife fell into my arms and thanked me for letting God talk with her. WOW! I could give 20 more inspirational anecdotes but the thing that really got to me was when the church was almost empty, and we were ready to turn off the lights and head home, 3 came back into the church for prayer. A half hour later we were working on a plan to bring the spouse of one who came back to grow to yearn to have Christ in his heart. What an honor and privilege to be approached for prayer like that. I was moved in the Spirit, deeply.

I've never been one to do the revival thing. I always thought it was hokey, if you know what I mean. But being charged with bringing revival to our small church I've grown immensely under the umbrella of the challenge. I'm being revived in the process. I share with the attendees that when I point a finger to them saying they're too much consumed with feeding the flesh...3 fingers are pointing back at me. I'm as much challenged and changed by revival as those to whom I'm preaching. What an unexpected thing.

I don't know if any of the Methodist preachers/pastors who may stumble across this blog are equally impacted. I would hope so. God isn't through with any of us. As the bumper sticker says....."Sorry, God isn't thru with me yet". Whatever our position may be, may we all be stricken by the notion that we are a work in progress, and that God isn't through with us yet. At least, I've come to understand, He's not through with me.

The power of the Holy Spirit was evident tonight. Arms were raised in praise, tears were shed in joy, and lives were changed. At least a few, in a rural area. But it's one person at a time through which the kingdom is brought down for us all to revel in. I thank God for the few who made a BIG impact in my ministry. May I be more greatly used for His purposes. I hope that this sharing empowers someone else to be equally challenged and utilized by God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen, amen, and Amen!

Revival Preaching

Prior to last night I'd never preached at a revival service. I had prepared and studied my sermon for days. I prayed and prayed that God would speak through me what he wanted those in attendance (as well as myself) to hear. Of the six pages of prepared text, all that I used was the scripture. After reading Acts 2, nothing else I'd prepared came out of my mouth! God revealed what he wanted us all to know: When we say that we're not worthy of the gifts of the Holy Spirit...we are living a lie! We say we're not worthy when we're actually saying "I'm not willing".

This revelation cracked open the hard shell that our souls keep tightly bound around the indwelling Holy Spirit. Realizing this, we open our minds to the realization that God is never finished with us. He wants us to open our hearts, minds and souls to the abundance that comes from loving Him with all that is in us. The more we open up to Him, the more His Holy Spirit works through us.

I've been so blind for so long, I pray that now I can stop living the lie of unworthiness, and start living a life of willingness. In Jesus' name I pray.

Burning Up With The Holy Spirit

In the forestry business, prescribed burns are something that happens when a landowner or forest management company determines that there is too much undesired competition in the tree plantation for the trees to mature to give the best possible yield. They set fire to the land beneath the trees and let the wind guide the controlled flames to burn out everything undesirable. The trees then have new nutrition, and less competition to their growth.

Our lives are like tree plantations...and we can get a prescribed burn. At times there are too many undesirable things happening within us to foster our growth for maximum yield. There's a flame that can come into our lives and burn out these competitors to our spiritual maturity. It's name is the Holy Spirit. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives it will burn away anxiety, burn away selfishness, burn away resentment, burn away temptation and burn away sin. And when we fan that fire it will fire us up for deeper love, fire us up for greater service, fire us up for better relationships and fire us up for spreading the Good News that Jesus paved the way to glory in heaven.

My prescription just ran out...time to get it renewed!

"Resting" in The Spirit

The term "resting in the spirit" or "slain in the spirit" has come up recently in conversation and one person in particular has expressed a desire to have this happen to him. What I'm talking about is the experience of dropping to the floor, unable to move or speak, as a result of the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. As one who ministers healing prayer I've seen people overcome by the presence of the Holy Spirit such that they trembled beyond control. They've become radiant being in the presence of the flow of God's wonderful Holy Spirit. But, they didn't seek that experience when coming for healing; it just happened.

The person who spoke to me about wanting to be overcome by the Holy Spirit is a God-serving person; an associate pastor, worker in the mission fields, and a genuinely good soul. He has seen it happen to others and is now expressing a desire to have it happen to him. His expressed desire to be overcome by the Holy Spirit is why I'm writing (thinking) about it now. If it is his desire to simply experience it for the sake of thrill seeking, I tend to shun away from wanting to help him. If, however, he seeks a deep conviction for his sins and desires to know and serve God at a deeper level, then I should be eager to pray with him for God's presence to overwhelm him. I wrestle with discernment in this situation.

I don't ascribe to the overtly charismatic worship, preaching and prayer that fosters "experiential" thrills. I'm called to pray for healing. I preach about healing our relationships with God and each other. I pray that God mercifully restores health and wellness to those who seek His comfort. I believe that if it is within the context of wanting healing that this friend seeks to experience a resting in the spirit, God will lead me to pray with him. If led, I will follow.

As a footnote, some may say that there is no biblical support for being slain in the spirit. In John 18:6 when the Roman soldiers realized that they were in the very presence of God, they fell back. Today, after Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit's presence has that same effect.

Quiet Time - in the River

It's May first, and in my part of Alabama, it was about 85 degrees. I have the blessing of living next to a river that is one of the ten cleanest rivers in the nation. Today, for the third time this season, I went swimming. On the first two occasions it was like tempting fate...trying to say it was nice when it was really cold. But today, at 5:30pm, I went swimming and loved it!

Some can't appreciate, but there is a special quiet time with lungs full of hyperventilated oxygen, when lying on the bottom of body of water, holding to a rock so as to not float up...it was a special, quiet time. At that time, I was in a place that few go. There was a sense of weightlessness, a oneness with everything, that goes beyond description. It was...wonderful!

In these times in the river I have a special oneness with nature, a special oneness with all of God's creation, a special oneness that goes beyond description. I've been knocking off early from work this week to be at home in the wilderness, and taking in everything. Tomorrow I may go for a walk in the woods...but today, it was in the river. I lamented the fact that I didn't bring my goggles with me to view the little darters and other minuscule creatures, but that will be remedied next time.

I cannot describe other than to say, at the bottom of the river I was at one with everything wonderful. I was at one with God. When I came out, there were flying insects all around, and I prayed for God to protect me from them, and the buzzing stopped, the trepidations ceased, and I was at one with everything, everything in God's creation.

Words cannot describe, but I type nonetheless. I had a glimpse of it all. I had a moment in the splendor of creation. I was fortunate enough to taste the dew of heaven. WOW! I will carve out more time for more of the same in the days and weeks to come. I come back from these moments invigorated and inspired to share the wonder and the joy of the Kingdom. But I harken back.

In 1984 I was driving with my friend/boss on an interstate highway at the peak of rush hour. He pulled over, got out a camera, and said, "Stop and smell the roses". He took pictures as if he could never take another picture again. I was inspired by that moment, and have never let it go. Can we all stop and smell the roses, in the spring, summer, winter and fall, smell the roses of the beauty of God's creation where it presents itself, regardless of the time or the season?

Today, I had quiet time in the river. In the Tallapoosa River, in Alabama. The water was refreshing, the silence, deafening, and the presence of God abundant. Typing this seems like cheating the moment, but I cannot keep it to myself. May tomorrow be a time of me overflowing with the splendor of today's moments, and magnetic to the point that someone wants to know what this "Jesus stuff" is all about. Because, it is all about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, filling me with awe and wonder as to the greatness of The Father's creation. I stand in wonder!

A quiet time in the river...that was today. A quiet time in someones heart tomorrow, that's what I yearn for. May I be sharpened to the opportunity, and emboldened to act, in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for today. It was GREAT!

Acts and Upper Rooms

Prayer is so essential to experiencing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The account of the beginning of the church is found in first two chapters of the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is promised in the first book where Luke tells of the last words Jesus had for the apostles prior to ascending into heaven:

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

In the second chapter, we find the apostles and other followers in prayer in an upper room. The promised presence of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled.

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And so begins "the rest of the story". God's revelation to us comes in three stages, through the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

First was God, the father, working in the hearts and souls of people in a time and place that was difficult...very difficult. Most of God's commands and laws were rigid and uncompromising. It was as it needed to be for such a culture.

Second, was our savior, Jesus Christ. He fulfilled the law and brought ease to the rigidity of the Father's commands. He took all the commandments and created the one commandment that embraced all the intent of the law by saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus showed us how by His example.

Third, is the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised would come to the Apostles. It is the Holy Spirit who takes the laws of The Father plus the fulfillment of the law through Jesus Christ, and becomes the very presence of God after the crucifixion and resurrection of The Son.

The Father gave us The Son, so that The Son could give us the Holy Spirit. How can we receive the Holy Spirit? Look to Jesus. Between the Gospel accounts of the miracles and healings Jesus would withdraw to quiet places to pray:

Luke: 5: 15-16
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

For us to experience God's presence through the Holy Spirit, we must pray. More than a prayer in the morning, a prayer at noon and a prayer at night. We must pray. Pray without ceasing, sometimes more intently, but pray without ceasing. The more we seek God's presence, the more His presence is in us. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles and the other believers when they were in prayer in an upper room. And It comes to us in our prayer, in our upper rooms.

Praying "For" Someone

My mother-in-law suffers quietly from brain atrophy that has progressed to the point where she can no longer communicate. Her condition is now such that she cannot comprehend sitting up or eating. She's been under hospice care for almost a year and is now being transferred into a nursing home. This last Saturday was the last time I was able to try to help her get up and eat. But she just couldn't manage it.

Her face was constantly going in and out of grimaces, occasionally accompanied by jerks and twitches of pain. I turned to God and asked what to do. The answer was to pray for her. So I closed my eyes held her hand, and prayer to God for mercy on her. As I was praying for her my hand that was holding hers grew tense, then my arm, then my chest. I let go and tried to start over again. God was telling me to pray for her, but I had the hardest time. I thought I was doing the right thing until all of a sudden it hit me like a brick. I was supposed to be praying FOR her, not about her...not in intercession, but in her stead!

I asked God to forgive my ignorance and prayed as if I were she. I held her hand, put my other hand on her head, and lifted up the prayers that she would pray if she still knew how. In that process God granted a little miracle. As I prayed in her stead, I grew drawn, tense, and quaking in the Holy Spirit. I prayed like this for two hours, stopping to regain my composure and wipe my sweat 3 times. Then it was time to stop.

I looked at Maw's face and it had changed from one blanketed in agony to one of radiance and joy. Her glistening eyes were like that of an infant. Her twitching had stopped. She smiled, looked right through me, then closed her eyes. I knew then that God heard her prayers. Her pain was gone and she had peace.

She'll be going home soon. Of all the wonderful things she has done for me in her life, allowing me to converse with God in her stead was one of the most humbling and meaningful things I've ever experienced. Seeing her happy when all the medicine and caring staff failed to bring her relief provided me with this testimony glorifying Our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Afraid of The Holy Ghost

In all candor, I ask: Is the Holy Spirit alive and well in our churches today? Do we even make room for It in our worship? Bishop Will Willimon recently quipped that we organize our worship such that we "use Robert's Rules of Order to keep the church safe from the Holy Spirit." Is every moment of worship so tightly bound to the next that there's no room for the very presence of God?

Do we, in our order of worship, ever ask God to be present, then quietly await His response to the invitation? In our personal prayer lives, do we ask God to be with us, then quietly await His response to our invitation? Why are we so uncomfortable with quietly waiting?

All leaders, whether Sunday school teachers or preachers, should budget the time and stillness to listen for the response to the invitation given for God to grace us with His presence. It is in the quietness that hearts are changed, eyes are opened, and true worship begins.

Frankly, I believe people are afraid of the Holy Spirit. We are afraid of handing over control. We are afraid that spirit may override intellect. We're afraid that something unanticipated may occur. We're afraid of ghosts....even the Holy Ghost!

When Jesus left his disciples he told them not to worry because he would send them the Great Comforter, and through the Holy Spirit they would do things even greater than He. Too many of us unwittingly believe that the Holy Spirit died with the apostles. If not, then why aren't we opening up the doors of our churches and our hearts and saying..."C'mon in"?

Holy Spirit...c'mon in.

"Speak But The Word..."

Today's account of Jesus healing stirs my spirit wonderfully. In Luke 7:7 it reads: "But say the word and my servant will be healed." As a Roman Catholic in my youth, prior to receiving communion, we said: "Lord, I'm not worthy to receive you, speak but the word and my soul will be healed." It's all about faith.

When we ask Jesus to speak the word and we expect to be healed do we hear Jesus say anything? Do our ears hear Jesus talking to us or do we faithfully accept that he speaks the word and then go on to receive communion? Our Methodist communion services don't include this plea, but I still, to this day, quietly say "Lord, I'm not worthy to receive you, speak but the word and my soul will be healed" prior to receiving the Eucharist. I visualize Jesus telling me, "Yes, Marty, your sins are forgiven, come, dine with me".

How powerful is the term "speak but the word"? Look to John 14: 12 - 14:
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
The "word" we are told to speak is the name of Jesus. When we pray for someone, in the name of Jesus, do we have the faith of the centurion? Do we truly, deeply, believe that when we ask of Jesus he will deliver? I'll be the first to admit, many times my faith has not been equal to that of the centurion. Many times my prayers didn't come from a position of confidence. Frankly, I failed to believe with all my heart that Jesus would hear my prayers.

At our recent healing service I found myself calling upon the name of Jesus, with confidence, with conviction, with true belief that He would hear and answer our prayers. And in that service there was glory in the faces of everyone there. It was spellbinding to look to the congregation and see smiling faces, radiant with contentment, at peace with their souls. I couldn't help but reflect on the transfiguration and come to realize that we can be transfigured into new, radiant creatures when confronted with the glory of God. At that service, on that night, the Holy Spirit was present...no ifs, ands or buts...and in that presence of the Holy Spirit was the glory of God.

Oh how I pray that we have the faith of the centurion in our walk with Christ. How I pray that we not be timid, weak, content or comfortable. I pray that we seek to hear Jesus "speak but the word" and find the healing in ourselves, our congregations, our church and our world.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Possessed!

Ok. Admittedly, this is a different sort of post. But, I'll ask: When one is possessed by the Holy Spirit, what does it feel like? I'm not asking from some theological perspective, but a personal one. I've had those personal experiences, and know when they are taking place by virtue of having been relegated to being a spectator as they happened. I say "spectator" because it wasn't me who was in control.

As others have said, they may preach a sermon, give a bible study, or simply pray, and something "different" happens. Is that something "different" pure mental gymnastics, or something more?

Someday I hope to have the courage to share what happens to me when I'm put aside for the work of the Holy Spirit. But for now, I'm curious as to whether anyone else has experienced a sense of being put aside, and witnessing themselves saying and doing things they hadn't planned, and to what they accredit the event.

As we try to be in control of our servant-role; studying, researching, praying...whatever we do...do we ever let go, and let something outside of our control mutter the words of a sermon...interact with a suffering individual...and do the deeds that we don't plan? Do we open ourselves to the very presence of God in this day and age, through opening our self-centered existences to the work of the Holy Spirit? I have an ex-pastor who once said that the role of a pastor was more of a dog...a sheep dog...than a shepherd. She exclaimed...."I'm a dog"! Afterwards, she shared that she didn't know where that came from...must've been the Holy Spirit. Do we let ourselves be possessed?

For me; lots of times yes...and sometimes no. I'm kinda working on the "no's".

Do You Feel the Presence of The Holy Spirit?

Out of curiosity, does anyone ever feel the presence of the Holy Spirit? That is...when preaching, healing, or witnessing...do you ever feel that the Holy Spirit is more in control of the situation than you are?

I do. But that's just me. How about you?