Alger Park & The Loft
Often times we associate the presence of the Holy Spirit with feelings. Some groups of Christians go as far as to say that unless someone is dancing or speaking tongues or barking like a dog, the Spirit didn't show up. Well that is horse pucky and, by far, not scriptural at all. There are no accounts other than Acts 2 that anything like that remotely happened in the New Testament.
Regardless of the that, Jer and my worship experience this past weekend was definitely Spirit filled. The incredible thing is that our experience came within a great contrast of styles. We went to Alger Park Christian Reformed Church in the morning and The Loft at Calvin College at night. Both are completely different in their style, but quite the same in the focus. And therein lies the crux of it all.
The Holy Spirit showed up at both services. In the morning there was a wonderful sense of being part of a greater family of God. The pastor's sermon was right on. Even Jeremy commented about how awesome it was. While the style was somewhat conservative -- organ, piano and choir -- the people were pleasant and there was a real sense that God was at work there by His Spirit.
The same was true at The Loft -- a college student led service. It was very contemporary in style and participatory. We came and laid the things that seperate our nearness to God at the cross in the center of the auditorium. The auditorium was filled with about 200-300 students all praising God with a sense of passion and earnesty. Dale Cooper, the Calvin College chaplain and speaker, gave a solidly biblical message that did not mince words, wasn't fluffy, but rather deep in content. The students were clearly eating it up. It was powerful and visibly emotion-filled.
All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD for both services. It's not about style. It's about the people's obedience and openness to the Spirits moving. Once again it is an affirmation that God meets us where we are at.
Miss you all.
'til next time.
Regardless of the that, Jer and my worship experience this past weekend was definitely Spirit filled. The incredible thing is that our experience came within a great contrast of styles. We went to Alger Park Christian Reformed Church in the morning and The Loft at Calvin College at night. Both are completely different in their style, but quite the same in the focus. And therein lies the crux of it all.
The Holy Spirit showed up at both services. In the morning there was a wonderful sense of being part of a greater family of God. The pastor's sermon was right on. Even Jeremy commented about how awesome it was. While the style was somewhat conservative -- organ, piano and choir -- the people were pleasant and there was a real sense that God was at work there by His Spirit.
The same was true at The Loft -- a college student led service. It was very contemporary in style and participatory. We came and laid the things that seperate our nearness to God at the cross in the center of the auditorium. The auditorium was filled with about 200-300 students all praising God with a sense of passion and earnesty. Dale Cooper, the Calvin College chaplain and speaker, gave a solidly biblical message that did not mince words, wasn't fluffy, but rather deep in content. The students were clearly eating it up. It was powerful and visibly emotion-filled.
All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD for both services. It's not about style. It's about the people's obedience and openness to the Spirits moving. Once again it is an affirmation that God meets us where we are at.
Miss you all.
'til next time.
posted by Allen at 4:59 PM
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