An Encounter with God, Recap and Pictures

A Walk Through the Tabernacle was an evening that we will not soon forget. Young people and Young at heart began to gather around 10pm with a spirit of anticipation and expectation. As we entered, we discovered that our Church was transformed into a replica of the tabernacle, complete with the veil and the most holy place. (Thank you Butler Family and Sis Ellora!!!) After introducing ourselves, we began the evening with a prayer of Thanksgiving, where we didn’t ask God for anything, but thanked Him for everything that we so often take for granted.

While in the outer court stopped at the Brazen Altar which was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze which represents judgment, indicative of how Jesus who came in human flesh took on the judgment of God for our sins. It is here where we prayed a prayer of repentance. This prayer of surrender broke the chains of sins that many have grappled with for years. We then stopped at the Laver where we prayed a prayer of cleansing and purification for our minds, bodies and spirits. This prayer left us with that feeling you have when you get out of the shower. Our hearts were cleansed, our minds were ignited, our spirits were refreshed and rejuvenated.

We then journeyed into the inner court where we encountered the lamp stand. We accepted the mandate of Jesus Christ to let our lights shine so that men may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. The entire room was dark and we each individual was given a candle, as our individual candles were lit the light illuminated the room and dispelled the darkness. Ultimately we brought our individual lights to the altar which caused a greater corporate light to illuminate the room.

At the altar of incense we were given a partner and transparently shared with each other our testimonies, insecurities, thoughts, and spiritual desires, and natural aspirations and then interceded for one another. The prayers of the saints went directly towards God. As we continued in the inner court we encountered the table of showbread. We were in small sharing groups, and after getting to know each other, we did an activity entitled “Baking Bread”. Each small group was given the task of making the word of God come alive for the entire audience. Everyone was truly fed of Manna from on High!

We arrived at an intersection between the inner court and the Most Holy Place and what separated was the veil, which was indicative of our flesh. We wrote down on post it notes intimate things that separate us from the presence of God. We attached these issues to the veil as a sign of surrender and desire to crucify our flesh, just as Jesus nailed our sins to the cross through His crucifixion. As we began to pray, the veil was open and I can’t describe or begin to express with words the power and anointing that permeated the room as the light from the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of the Lord resided began to shine on us as we worshipped God.

God has given us access reminiscent of David’s tent, where we can come boldly to the throne of grace, through Jesus Christ who satisfied every requirement and addressed every tabernacle furnishing just as the High Priest did in the old testament. Nothing in life will satisfy the intrinsic hunger God has placed inside of us except God. Never allow the distractions of life, to disconnect, or disrupt, your passion or pursuit of God. Because in His presence there is fullness of joy and in His right Hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Encounter with God photos

History in the Making

As I sit in my hotel room on a presumably historical evening, I remember the prior elections I have experienced and must admit there has been something unique about this one. I assume that voter turnout this year has far surpassed previous years. I could address all of my political views, and their social implications, and eschatological (biblical prophecies concerning the end times) implications (I will save these conversations for Pastor Woods, Lee and Kasey, Lauren, and my other political analyst lol), but I don’t want to miss the moment by being over analytical. For a moment (the length of this blog lol), I am going to set my theology Often, I wonder if people realized the magnitude and the brevity of a moment while they were in it, or if they allowed the significance of the moment to pass them by as the lived in it. I am resolved to capture the social history of this moment.

I do want to express how I feel. I am so honored that on this history making day, I traveled from California, to Chicago where I purchased a copy of the Chicago Tribune, and finally to Pennsylvania, a historically rich state. As a child I can recall looking at Encyclopedia’s and when I noticed pictures of the presidents I saw no one who looked like me. So while I was taught that anything is possible, subliminally there were limitations that contradicted these teachings. Tonight for children all over the world, these limitations will be removed. For America, not just African Americans, this night is special. While many may argue over his stances and policies as we should, it must be acknowledged that Sen. Obama matriculated through some of the most prestigious institutions of learning (Columbia, Harvard, and served as president of the Harvard Law review) excelled and advanced in any arena. He overcome obstacles such as his parents divorce and transcended this by showing devotion to his wife and children. And prior to the most significant day of his political career, he looses his grandmother the woman who raised him, and still stood with courage. For real, I analyze everything, but when I was watching the Democratic National Convention (and I watched the RNC also) the moment that humanized me, was when Sen. Obama’s youngest daughter affectionately known as Sasha, said “Hi Daddy!” to the screen. She stole my heart in that moment.

With all of the oppression that has existed based on race and gender, it is beautiful to see Sen. Obama stand on the shoulders of those who sweat, marched, bled, and paid the ultimate price of giving their life to fight for this moment. Regardless of where one stands politically, it must be acknowledged, Sen. Obama possibly Presidential-elect Obama is inspiring, and unequivocally the American Dream personified.

Allright…I will get back to spiritual stuff, got to post some pictures from “A Walk Through the Tabernacle” as soon as I learn how to post photos! lol