The Amen Corner

This is not the blog post that I originally set out to write tonight. My intent was to come start a rough draft of what would become my Point of Change Weekend breakdown. I had no plans to legitimately write or post something.

I've decided to share with you the words that God has laid on my heart as of late. I apologize if I'm wordy but have you ever tried to summarize the glory of God?

I attend Point of Change Church of the Nazarene. I am blessed with the most amazing family of Christ. Sunday mornings I am specifically blessed by my seat in church. This may sound strange but it's a real thing. I sit by my 81 year old Grandma Grace. We sit in the back, left corner of the church. The same place we've sat at together for 25 years. This part of the church has always held amazing women of God, true Proverbs 31 women, that have guided me throughout my life. It is "The Amen Corner".

All are welcome in The Amen Corner. We have ages 6 months-83 years old, we praise God, we laugh a lot, and we "amen". A LOT. We continually see God's grace, love and mercy working.

Today in The Amen Corner I got to meet two cousins. My grandfather's nieces. The daughter of my namesake (Sarah), sitting by my other namesake, Grandma Grace.

They had not seen me in almost 25 years. It was such an unexpected blessing to connect with family in the house of The Lord. Now, allow me to veer off slightly but still on the topic of blessings.

For the past few months I have had various things laid on my heart. The most prominent being to 1)get involved in the church 2)pray continuously 3)His Name

I had no idea what "His Name" could mean. I knew what it meant but I had no idea of its purpose in my life. For the last month or so, the song "Your Great Name" has been on loop in my head. I have heard that song MAYBE two times in my life, yet there it was in my head, over and over.

Last night I got home from the PoC Weekend and I did as requested and avoided distraction and rested and meditated on His word. I sat and listened to Pandora radio, read the word and just waited for the spirit. Let me tell you the first song to play...yeah, go ahead and guess. Your. Great. Name.

Okay, that's funny. I keep listening and feel compelled to write down the lyrics. Did I mention that I filled my sketchbook and I've been writing on paper scraps the past month? Did I also mention that I'm staying with my bachelor brother and there wasn't a notebook or paper in sight? There was however a pizza box...

Let me tell you, I wrote the lyrics on that pizza box. You can think that is crazy but it was necessary. I meditated on those words, worshipped God and called on the Holy Spirit. I'm sure by this point I already sound insane so I'll just keep throwing you curveballs. Have you heard these words?

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30 NASB)

The phrasing I like is "He released His spirit". That hit me today like a truck. I'm sitting in The Amen Corner, I hear those words and I'm just floored. I think of Pastor Todd's words "He knew his NEARNESS wouldn't be enough for you, so He gave us the Holy Spirit to be IN us."

I realize this post has been all over the place so let me recap this way. The Amen Corner-->Ask God to Show Up-->Filled with the Spirit-->Blessings Rain

Okay, I said all of that to say this. I walked into church today absolutely exhausted. I was worn out from crutching around all day Saturday and emotionally spent from the heavenly overflow. I sat down in my seat in The Amen Corner, said hi to Grandma Grace, met cousins Karen and Carolyn and prepared for worship.

The band played a few songs and the spirit filled the room. As they prepared for their last song, the stage was down to just three members and the spirit rested on me and whispered "Your Great Name". Seconds later the few opening chords began and my mind and heart processed the spirit's words as "Your Great Name" rang out.

I am not kidding you. I have absolutely no reason to lie about any of this but I'll tell you what...I have 10,000 reasons to bless The Lord.

I am so unbelievably alive today. God is so good. I can't even fathom all my heart feels right now. I am so crazy in love with this amazing God of mine (and yours).