Posted on 08/05/2011 4:15:49 PM PDT by xzins
The following is notes taken by a member of Joel Osteen's church on a day a substitute was preaching. That's not really the point.
What is the best worship experience you ever had?
For me, I can think of a few:
1. The Cincinnati Billy Graham Crusade in Jul 2002. Third Day and Gaithers sang. Third Day was clearly led by the Spirit. Graham gave a simple sermon about the prodigal son that touched thousands of hearts. The simplicity of the message and appeal stunned me. An amazing event.
2. The year I was ordained Deacon in our denomination, the preacher was Bishop Kenneth Goodson from Mississippi(?) I believe. His sermon was "Is there any Hope?" and I was rapt by the question and the simple answer. (Yes. Jesus)
3. A Todd Agnew concert a few years back. A contemporary Christian musician who'd speak between songs. The music thrilled, but the message was basically, "If you're bee-bopping to the beat, then you're missing the point. This is about worshipping Almighty God." The message was direct and extremely convicting.
What was/were your best worship experience(s) ever? What made it so?
Whether or not you like Joel Osteen isn't the point, but the writer below shared a worship experience that meant something to him.
The Corpus Christi procession 2007-present. Every year as Mass ends, we visit the three shrines and do various litanies and then head back into a dimmed church with gold candelabra in the sanctuary for Benediction. It’s just beautiful.
We weren’t 70,000 strong, but chapel at Asbury Seminary with hundreds of male voices harmonizing on Charles Wesley’s “And Can It Be” was always powerful and moving.
And can it be that I should gain and interest in the Savior’s blood. Died He for me who caused His pain; for me who Him to death pursued.
Amazing Love! How can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me! Amazing Love! How can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me!
We weren’t 70,000 strong, but chapel at Asbury Seminary with hundreds of male voices harmonizing on Charles Wesley’s “And Can It Be” was always powerful and moving.
And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood. Died He for me who caused His pain; for me who Him to death pursued.
Amazing Love! How can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me! Amazing Love! How can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me!
in downtown denver, near the rescue mission...sidewalks were littered with people passed out from varying addictions - it was a place of despair.
i was approached by a middle-aged homeless black man that stood out like light in darkness, like salt on a flavor-less meal. he received the very small relief that i offered him, he thanked me then told me that he liked to sing in return for the blessings he received. He proceeded to sing “The Heart of Worship” by matt redman...
“i’m coming into the heart of worship and it’s all about, all about you, Jesus”
i was stunned at the beauty and the contrast in this setting.
after finishing the song, he preached...
“David, my Master tells me that ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’. David, God has blessed you, now you go and bless others.”
with that, he turned and jogged away...
my greatest encounters with God have come when i’ve been among the poor...(matthew 25.31-46)
Wow! Thanks, Bexardave.
Jason Upton.
Close second was at The Call Jerusalem - 12+ hours of straight worship, by numerous musicians, including Robert Stearns.
You beat me to it.
Best worship? Prolly the Swinging Blue Jeans!
I don’t know Jason Upton. What kind of ministry does he have?
Residence Inn room 133 Costa Mesa California -
November ‘07. Me and the Holy Spirit - groanings which can’t be uttered. Totally immersed in the love of God. I haven’t been the same since.
l Cor. 10:31. “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
I know the same. Sep 72, 2 am bunk, Barton Barracks, Ansbach, West Germany. I was brought to my knees by the Spirit knocking on my door.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6jRPpHzwCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWpQ67J130g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pex7OgpNrOI
For me, the Billy Graham Crusade at Nickerson Field in Boston, in the very early 80’s. I was in the 3000 voice choir, and it was amazing! All very traditional and old-fashioned hymns, and beautiful!
For me, the Billy Graham Crusade at Nickerson Field in Boston, in the very early 80’s. I was in the 3000 voice choir, and it was amazing! All very traditional and old-fashioned hymns, and beautiful!
Oh but THEN there was that time in the Upper Room, Feast of Tabenacles, 1984, on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem! Oh MY!!!!
St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Mark’s in Venice, The Duomo in Florence, Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem...all just breathtaking.
Your beautiful story reminded me of this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-uxOT9uXA&feature=related
The story behind it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus%27_Blood_Never_Failed_Me_Yet
Your story... and stick to it, that’s funny :>)
My husband and I went to a First Vows mass for a friend who was on the way to becoming a Franciscan priest. The seminarians were an international crew, so there were parts of the service in different languages, including a beautiful duet in Vietnamese, and an explanation of who each man was and how he came to be there. When they did the litany of saints I really had the feeling of being a part of the Kingdom of God, in the whole world— past, present and future. There was a real, joyful, warm, vibe.
Thanks for reminding me of this.
Holy Eucharist, Easter VIgil, confirmation, age 45.
There is hope for anyone.
:)
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