Folks, I’ve seen a crippled man get up and walk. I’ve seen barren wombs spring forth with new life. I’ve seen my own child brought back from his deathbed in response to a cry out to God! I’ve even seen God miraculously set a broken bone as I held a little girl in my arms and prayed. And the healings and miracles I’ve heard about and read about go far beyond the great things I’ve personally witnessed.
We used to see the Shekinah Glory of God roll across the sanctuary…
To deny the presence of God would be akin to denying the existence of… well, of life itself! So you can imagine the excitement I felt a few weeks ago when I visited a local church on a Sunday morning and saw the presence of God rolling into the praise service. The Shekinah – that’s what it’s called. In the Bible, when God came on the scene it was often in the form of a cloud. It’s known as the Glory Cloud, and I suppose it could best be described as a fog rolling across the room. Even in the modern age people have seen the Glory Cloud – the Shekinah presence of God roll across a church as his people entered into newer and deeper realms of worship.
We used to see the Shekinah Glory of God roll across the sanctuary with some regularity, but it’s been a while. And I was a bit confused by it, since when it’s happened in the past it was in the midst of an incredible worship service. At the risk of sounding rude or sanctimonious, let me just say, “This was not that!”
Then Stephanie leaned over and whispered, “That fog machine is messing with my sinuses.”
FOG MACHINE??
FOG MACHINE!!
The New Testament church of the 21st century scarcely resembles the New Testament church of the New Testament. We have the advantage of modern technology that they did not. Colored lights radiate on cue, controlled by a central panel so they can be made to glow in red or blue or yellow… whatever works to evoke the desired mood… and the desired result!
Oh, I recognize the mindset – new methods to attract a new generation. And to a degree I understand it – even appreciate it. In fact, a church close to my house recently ripped out dozens of cushioned pews to replace them with theater seating! I guess the pews weren’t cushiony enough? And they probably couldn’t think of anything else to spend that money on… like missions work or feeding the hungry.
It really doesn’t matter. I’m sure God doesn’t care what you’re sitting on when you’re learning his Word. You can decorate a church building any way you wish. You can even hang plastic bananas from the chandeliers (real ones would go bad too quickly). Then you could say your church is full of the Fruit of the Spirit without having to really walk the walk.
Fancy seating – sparkly lights – casino carpeting… none of it really matters. But when you put in a fog machine to replicate the Shekinah Glory of God… well my friends, in my book that’s gone too far!
My first thought is, “Apparently they aren’t expecting the real Shekinah if they’re generating a counterfeit shekinah.”
My second thought is, “They wouldn’t even recognize the Shekinah Glory if it rolled in… ‘Look there, Pastor. That fog machine’s a blowin’ extra heavy this mornin’!”
My third thought is, “I don’t expect the Shekinah Glory will be rolling in there any time soon.” Hey, don’t judge me for that observation. Obviously they aren’t expecting it either!
If we could draw closer to God and see the REAL Shekinah Glory again – if we could see blind eyes opened and lame men walk again – I’m convinced even this new generation would sit on buckets in the musty basement of a rundown building to see a REAL move of God!
If you don’t agree with me – fine. If you think I’m judgmental – ok. If you’re just down right angry with me – so be it! You see, I’ve experienced the Shekinah Glory. I’ve tasted the Heavenly things. Fake fog and plastic fruit don’t even come close.
Folks, people are hungry for a move of God. They’ve been hoodwinked at the carnival. They deserve better from their church.
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ReplyDeleteIt's Me JoeyD
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joey D! Love you too, my brother.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I am hearing (reading) about things you have NEVER shared with me regarding God. I have never heard of such a thing as a Glory Cloud.
ReplyDeleteThen I have wronged you, daughter of mine. We need to get together soon. We have many things to talk about!
ReplyDeleteReece - my heart is akin to yours in all you said about desiring the real and not willing to, actually down right obstinate and refusing to accept any substitute. I see it as a copout, a slap in the face to the true move of God. Granted many involved have no clue but I would guess there are those who do and certainly the Spirit of God is giving any who will be tender and listen a red flag of uncertainty or lack of peace for these such situations. But Praise God, Reece, we have been having the manifest presence of God more and more in our services and even have had some witness that cloud of His Glory. Love, one of your kids ;) Lara
ReplyDeleteReece -- I don't know you, nor have we met. Stumbled on your blog and happened to read this post for whatever reason. While I respect your opinions, I will say that a lot of what you say is misinterpreted, but I understand that it is your opinions and that this is your blog.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the church nearby you that recently 'ripped out their pews' and replaced them with theater seating: since I know what church you're talking about, I can absolutely back up the fact that those theater seats were donated to that church from another church in town, which in turn, allowed the church getting rid of their pews to help 4 or 5 start-up churches put in some great, comfortable, cushioned pews. I know this because I attend that church nearby and helped deliver some really nice pews to some really great people that desire to see a world know Christ as much as that church does.
Also, I don't believe that fog machines and hazers were ever, under any circumstances, meant to recreate the Shekinah Glory. I respect that it may not be someone's style, and that's fine. I totally respect that. Its sole purpose is to enhance the lighting, which again, is a preference and style that not everyone shares, which again, I respect. I come from a little bit of sound and lighting background, and that's why I understand this. Just wanted to help enlighten you, more than call you out on anything. I would want someone to point these things out to me.
Anonymous - I appreciate you reading my blog and taking time to comment. It always warms a blogger's heart to know someone is reading.
ReplyDeleteYes, those theater seats were donated - or at least sold to them by another church for a very low price (I've heard two versions). But I also know that church borrowed $100,000.00 to remodel. The purpose for that remodel was to make the church more modern - more "un-churchy". (Their words - not mine.)
The bottom line is that OKC (and every other metro area) is engaged in a church war to see who can be most hip, most modern - most inviting to the new generation.
My problem with that is the church is supposed to separate itself from the world - not try to be like the world. I truly believe the whole modernization of the church has moved it away from Godliness to a pattern that mirrors worldliness.
I don't know who you are so I can't know whether you have ever experienced the Shekinah Glory of God permeate a praise service so that the cloud rolling across the room was not artificially made. But I do know that if we have our praise service cue carded so that the blue lights come on at a certain time and the red lights at a certain time, then any chance of the Holy Spirit actually manifesting Himself is quashed, because it's not in the script.
But that's ok, since we have to clear out the cars from the 10 o'clock service to make room for the 11 o'clock service. It's a good thing the disciples in the upper room didn't have to clear out the donkey lot for the next bunch to come in. Their tarrying is what got us the Church Age.
Anonymous - I appreciate your enlightenment. But you're talking about church style. I'm talking about church substance.
Reece