For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!
OASIS 2007 – A Time of Music
(See pictures at http://www.thecarpenterschurch.org/oasis.html)
It was going to be my first time attending the musical convention of The Carpenter’s Church. I did not know what to expect. All I knew was it was a Sunday and I should be in church that day. Little did I know that I would fall in love with God all over again that day. As I strolled into the compound where the church is situated, I was shocked by the throng of people moving around. I could not locate the tent I easily spotted from afar. It was only 9:20 a.m. and the church was filled. Filled with beautiful and handsome people dressed in colours and styles that appeals to the eyes.
But I held my breath as I finally made my way towards the tent. I could not recognize it – thanks to the decorating team. I began to have an idea of what the statement meant, “Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary” [Psalm 96:6]. If King David was there, he would have felt at home. There were decorations of musical instruments and musical notes hanging on every part of the tent. The lightening inside was perfect, boosted by the glorious light from the warm, bright sunshine. None of the colours seemed out of place but rather complemented each other and made me wonder how beautiful heaven must be.
Sweet soothing background music floated through the tent extending to the nearby vicinity. I sat outside. King Saul needed to have been there too [1 Samuel 16:16]. It was a moment of refreshing and revitalizing as God was adored, worshipped and praised with sounds and music. The music ministrations were awesome – from the New Wine Choir, to the soloist and selected groups from the Carpenter’s Church choir. I knew God was there for HE inhabits our praise [Psalm 22: 3].
As I listened to the music that day, several things were happening. I was falling in love with my beautiful God. I call Him beautiful because from the lyrics of the songs I could perceive His unfailing love, His tender mercies, His loving kindness, His grace, His sensitivity, and His sacrifice which no one can repay. I heard words like, “It was not easy but it was worth it”. I meditated on these. It could never have been easy for Jesus to humble himself, die a shameful and painful death for me who was born into sin. To think that Jesus feels it is worth it that He dies for me. Me, who could commit one sin remorselessly in the next second. But He did it because He knows there is something good in me. And you. And He knew all we will experience. He died that we may live again and have a second chance.
While I was yet falling in love with my beautiful, lovely Jesus, meditating on all He went through for my sake, I could feel the music breaking down the walls of my thoughts and rebuilding with words of God; wiping away my fears and replacing them with faith; and erasing any trace of doubt and disbelief that I had ever harboured. I felt the lyrics of the songs were directly for me and no one else. I was learning something about my Heavenly Father that day. He was the one who loved me more than anyone else [Hebrews 13:5]. I confessed all my sins that moment and recommitted my life to Him.
God was at work through the music. Healing was taking place that day. Healing of the body, soul and spirit. Physical healing, spiritual healing and emotional healing. There was cleansing, there was forgiveness, and there was wholesomeness as the words of the songs permeated the very essence of our being. And then, there was the interlude when our Pastor (Pastor Mrs. Nkechi Ene) called out to people to give their life to Christ. She did not need to preach a sermon. She simply recounted the subtle, living words we’d been hearing all through the morning. I was not surprised at the number that responded to her words. Infact, I believe there were many more, who had the urge to come up to the altar, but were rooted to their seats out of pride, fear or self-condemnation. But thank God that many people streamed towards the altar in surrender to HIM. Many were tired of doing things their own way. Many wanted to start a relationship with the faithful Father. Many seized the opportunity to rededicate their lives to Christ. It was no wonder at the mass of people that responded to the altar call. God was there. There was fullness of joy and continuous pleasure [Psalm 16:11]. There was great rejoicing in heaven. I could imagine the joy in the presence of the angels of God as those people accepted salvation [Luke 15:7; 10]. And surely the word of God would come to pass in the lives of those who surrendered to our Lord, the word that says, “Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” [Isaiah 35:10].
Oasis 2007, Glory be to God for that day! Thanks to all those who contributed in making that day a success. It was not only the singers nor only the decorating team. What about the prayers of individuals? That day I witnessed a combination, nay a harmony of gifts and talents. It made me realize that there is so much to our God from whom every good and perfect gift comes from [James 1: 17] and a bit is manifested in us, His children. Above all, the Glory of God was resident in that place. I did not stay until the end but I know I left there filled – filled with the Holy Spirit and filled with some knowledge of an awesome God [Ephesians 1:17; 5:18-19]. I look forward to Oasis 2008!
OASIS 2007 – A Time of Music
(See pictures at http://www.thecarpenterschurch.org/oasis.html)
It was going to be my first time attending the musical convention of The Carpenter’s Church. I did not know what to expect. All I knew was it was a Sunday and I should be in church that day. Little did I know that I would fall in love with God all over again that day. As I strolled into the compound where the church is situated, I was shocked by the throng of people moving around. I could not locate the tent I easily spotted from afar. It was only 9:20 a.m. and the church was filled. Filled with beautiful and handsome people dressed in colours and styles that appeals to the eyes.
But I held my breath as I finally made my way towards the tent. I could not recognize it – thanks to the decorating team. I began to have an idea of what the statement meant, “Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary” [Psalm 96:6]. If King David was there, he would have felt at home. There were decorations of musical instruments and musical notes hanging on every part of the tent. The lightening inside was perfect, boosted by the glorious light from the warm, bright sunshine. None of the colours seemed out of place but rather complemented each other and made me wonder how beautiful heaven must be.
Sweet soothing background music floated through the tent extending to the nearby vicinity. I sat outside. King Saul needed to have been there too [1 Samuel 16:16]. It was a moment of refreshing and revitalizing as God was adored, worshipped and praised with sounds and music. The music ministrations were awesome – from the New Wine Choir, to the soloist and selected groups from the Carpenter’s Church choir. I knew God was there for HE inhabits our praise [Psalm 22: 3].
As I listened to the music that day, several things were happening. I was falling in love with my beautiful God. I call Him beautiful because from the lyrics of the songs I could perceive His unfailing love, His tender mercies, His loving kindness, His grace, His sensitivity, and His sacrifice which no one can repay. I heard words like, “It was not easy but it was worth it”. I meditated on these. It could never have been easy for Jesus to humble himself, die a shameful and painful death for me who was born into sin. To think that Jesus feels it is worth it that He dies for me. Me, who could commit one sin remorselessly in the next second. But He did it because He knows there is something good in me. And you. And He knew all we will experience. He died that we may live again and have a second chance.
While I was yet falling in love with my beautiful, lovely Jesus, meditating on all He went through for my sake, I could feel the music breaking down the walls of my thoughts and rebuilding with words of God; wiping away my fears and replacing them with faith; and erasing any trace of doubt and disbelief that I had ever harboured. I felt the lyrics of the songs were directly for me and no one else. I was learning something about my Heavenly Father that day. He was the one who loved me more than anyone else [Hebrews 13:5]. I confessed all my sins that moment and recommitted my life to Him.
God was at work through the music. Healing was taking place that day. Healing of the body, soul and spirit. Physical healing, spiritual healing and emotional healing. There was cleansing, there was forgiveness, and there was wholesomeness as the words of the songs permeated the very essence of our being. And then, there was the interlude when our Pastor (Pastor Mrs. Nkechi Ene) called out to people to give their life to Christ. She did not need to preach a sermon. She simply recounted the subtle, living words we’d been hearing all through the morning. I was not surprised at the number that responded to her words. Infact, I believe there were many more, who had the urge to come up to the altar, but were rooted to their seats out of pride, fear or self-condemnation. But thank God that many people streamed towards the altar in surrender to HIM. Many were tired of doing things their own way. Many wanted to start a relationship with the faithful Father. Many seized the opportunity to rededicate their lives to Christ. It was no wonder at the mass of people that responded to the altar call. God was there. There was fullness of joy and continuous pleasure [Psalm 16:11]. There was great rejoicing in heaven. I could imagine the joy in the presence of the angels of God as those people accepted salvation [Luke 15:7; 10]. And surely the word of God would come to pass in the lives of those who surrendered to our Lord, the word that says, “Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” [Isaiah 35:10].
Oasis 2007, Glory be to God for that day! Thanks to all those who contributed in making that day a success. It was not only the singers nor only the decorating team. What about the prayers of individuals? That day I witnessed a combination, nay a harmony of gifts and talents. It made me realize that there is so much to our God from whom every good and perfect gift comes from [James 1: 17] and a bit is manifested in us, His children. Above all, the Glory of God was resident in that place. I did not stay until the end but I know I left there filled – filled with the Holy Spirit and filled with some knowledge of an awesome God [Ephesians 1:17; 5:18-19]. I look forward to Oasis 2008!
How great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty! [Zechariah 9:17]
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