Sunday! Oh Sunday...

[This was supposed to be posted on Sunday evening, but the internet has been either down or spotty since then. So read and apply to next Sunday's services!]

There's something about boarding a bus on beautifully African Sunday morning, and being greeted by the driver with a handshake and smile and a genuine "Happy Sunday!" It just prepares you for what's to come. I blogged last year about my first African church service. I believe the post contained words like: joyous, celebrating, dancing, singing loudly, real. I'm so glad to see that nothing has changed.

It's Sundays like today that remind me of all we have to celebrate, and how sometimes structure is not order. We often overquote Paul out of 1 Corinthians, when he talks of order, and go to great lengths to ensure that everything goes accordingly with our plans and bulletin arrangements. We sit, we stand, we arrange powerpoint, we plan songs, we plan offerings, we plan ushers...we even make plans to 'fit in' scripture outside of the message. I was struck all over again this morning as God spoke to my heart. Maybe with all our sophisticated, intellectualized and rational planning, we sometimes lose the spirit of it all.

This morning was filled with dancing, celebrating, joyous clapping and lots of singing loudly. In short...it was real. Songs were deep in they're simplicity and the message (brought by Pastor Tracy, pastor of Grace Baptist in Ventura) was powerful. There's an odd feeling as I witness the congregation that there is a real doublemindedness that sometimes occurs when I speak about my 'need' for Jesus. I know I need Him, but do I really worship like He is all I need and everything I need? Do I pursue Him as the only source for my life? Is He the air I breathe? There's something about meeting with African brothers and sisters, living on almost nothing a day, crying out to Jesus from hearts that need Him and Him alone that humbles me to no end.

Conference hasn't started yet, and I'm humbled and learning very important lessons. We don't need our money. We don't need powerpoint or healthy carpet or good signage. We don't need thoroughly planned out, itemized services. We don't need fancy chairs or pews or elaborate sound systems. All we need is Jesus. If the Spirit is present...watch out! Something is going to happen and it's gonna be powerful.

Something to think about before you head to church services today. I worshipped in a hollow, incomplete basement with one lightbulb and thin benches...and God did wondrous things. Happy Sunday! Sunday, oh Sunday...