THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

August 3, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD

Growing up, my home church, as well as other churches that my family visited for revivals, all had a well-used altar at the front of the sanctuary. I don't remember ever attending a service that didn't end with everyone gathering around the altar for a time of prayer. It was a place where people received salvation, were baptized in the Holy Spirit, took their burdens to the Lord, cried out for lost loved one, recommitted themselves to God, refreshed their spirits, and spent time with the Father. Spending time in prayer around the altar was a vital part of our church service.

Nowadays, it seems as if many churches no longer have an altar in their sanctuary; or if they do, it is seldom used. Making prayer, around the altar, an important part of the service has been lost. Perhaps some pastors and congregations feel that they can pray at home and don't need that time of corporate prayer. Some churches will have times of asking people to come down to the front and stand at the end of the service, but often that is either a time of someone leading them in prayer or them singing a song together, and is something that is over with very quickly. I think at times the thinking is that God can hear me, regardless of what position I'm in, so I can just sit here in my seat or stand and He will hear me. While that is true, we have lost the power or intercessory prayer and spending time on our face before the throne of God. We're missing out on waiting on the Lord and seeing His power at work and experiencing a moving of the Holy Spirit in our congregations.

I find it somewhat interesting that most churches ask the congregations to stand during their time of singing worship, and sometimes you are made to feel guilty if you should dare to sit down -- even if you are uncomfortable or your knees or feet are aching. Yet kneeling for prayer is excused, because it can make people uncomfortable or make their knees ache or it's too hard to get up and down. The posture of standing is expected and almost demanded during worship; as if God can't hear us worship or we aren't really worshipping if we sit. Yet when it comes to praying, the thinking seems to be that it doesn't matter -- God can hear us regardless of our posture; and people can become rather blasé about prayer. I personally think that worship, preaching (hearing the Word of God taught), and prayer are all equally important.

It makes me sad, for corporate prayer around the altar is something that younger generations have never experienced or witnessed. They don't know what it's like for the entire body of the church to come together for a time of kneeling together in prayer; the older and younger all mixed together in unity. Sometimes praying on their own, and sometimes with their arm around a brother or sister in Christ, praying for them. A time of prayer, where there is no time limit or no one is rushed or watching the clock; but desiring to wait upon the Lord and spend time in His presence. A time of responding prayerfully to the pastor's sermon.

My sisters and I recently spent a few days together. One evening we were sharing different memories that we had of church, when we were growing up. One of my very favorite memories was of the altar. I remember seeing the tear stains on the wood. I remember women kneeling at the altar for so long that their legs would fall asleep, and they had a hard time walking when they got up. I remember the night, when I was 5 years old, that I knelt beside my mama and asked Jesus to come into my life, and was filled with the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues... yes, both at 5 years old. I remember hearing men and women praying, out loud, calling upon God and unashamedly pouring their hearts out -- not caring who heard them. I remember seeing sinners running to the altar and falling on their face, repenting of their sins and receiving salvation. I remember seeing God touch people and move upon their heart and seeing them react to His spirit.

Many years ago, my home-church built a new sanctuary and the old handmade altar was replaced by ones that were new and prettier. The old one sat for many years in the back of one of the Sunday School classrooms, before finally being put in the attic of the church gym.

Sometimes our "altar" needs to be brought out of the attic, dusted off and some repairs made to it -- so to speak. I'm not talking about a piece of wood, but I'm speaking about us making an altar and spending time interceding and crying out to the Lord. A place where we fall on our face before God and pour our hearts out to Him on behalf of ourselves, our family, our neighbors, our church, and our nation. A place where we kneel and call out to God for revival and lives to be transformed by His spirit. A place where we quietly listen to what He wants to speak to us. A place where we can let our tears fall, unashamedly, and allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us with groaning, when we can't find the words. A place where we experience being in the presence of Jesus.

Perhaps it's been a while since you've made "the altar" a priority in your life. It may be broken down from lack of use and need to be rebuilt or refurbished. Perhaps it's been so long since you've really spent time praying and seeking God, that you don't really even remember where the altar is. Again, I'm not speaking about a tangible altar that is manmade; but a place where you go to spend time in prayer. A place where you can fall on your face and cry out to God, intercede, and worship.

Matthew 6:6 says, "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to the Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

It's important that we make prayer a priority, not an option. Many times in the New Testament we read where Jesus would leave His disciples and the crowds and go up to the mountain, alone, to pray. He gave us a personal example to follow on prayer being a necessity. He was often surrounded by crowds of people who followed Him everywhere He went; yet He would find a way to get away, by Himself, to pray. It was a priority for Jesus, just as it should be for us.

Corporate prayer, with other believers and as a church, is also important. There are examples throughout the book of Acts of the church coming together for prayer; sometimes in someone's home or in an upper room or various places. In Nehemiah, the Israelites assembled for a time of fasting and prayer. Paul encouraged the churches, whom he wrote his letters to, to pray. Jesus spoke of two or three agreeing together -- and it shall be done.

Growing up, every night before going to bed mama, daddy, my sisters and I would gather, as a family, in the living room and kneel down and have prayer together. I grew up being shown examples of the importance of prayer, as a family, as well as individually and as a church. It wasn't just something that was talked about, but something that I experienced personally. When my mama was in pain, daddy would call her brothers and sisters, regardless of how late the hour, and they would get out of bed, get dressed and drive to our house to pray for her. They would stay and pray until the pain lessened and she could sleep. They willingly and gladly showed up, and we knew that they wanted to be there to pray for mama when she needed it.

I want that for the younger generations today! I want them to experience family prayer in their homes, personal prayer time, and prayer in their church. I want that to be the first thing to comes to mind when they face difficulties or feel alone or are tempted. But they need to be taught and shown by example.

Our prayers as a church or a group will be more effective, if we have had daily private prayer time at home. We will be prepared and ready for worship and for intercession and for praying for one another.

If you have been neglecting your "altar" time, I encourage you to make time to be alone with the Father every day. A time of giving Him your full attention and putting everything else aside and giving Him reverence and honor. A time of crying out to Him and pouring out your heart and giving Him your burdens. A time of interceding on behalf of loved ones who are spiritually uncommitted or struggling or living life apart from God. A time of soaking in the presence of Jesus and allowing Him to speak to you and fill you with peace and joy.

Then pray corporately. Worship the Lord, encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ and pray with them. Don't be a weak link in the body of Christ. But through prayer and growing in your relationship with the Lord, grow deep roots that are firmly established in the Vine, which is Jesus. If you are feeling discouraged or disheartened or having a pity party, pray! If you are alone, call someone whom you trust spiritually, and have them pray with you. Prayer is our communication with the Father and He loves hearing from His children!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

You might think I'm off here, but I really recommend praying in the shower. It may sound horribly wrong to you. But God sees us for who we are inside. Clothes don't matter. In fact, they don't matter at all to God. So you won't be embarrassing Him. It's a time when most of us feel vulnerable and open, and can't hide anything. That's a perfect time for communicating with God.

After you are used to visiting with God in such a personal way, it is much easier to be that open other times, even in front of others.

ON THE MENEWE:

Stuffed Mushrooms

Wipe off mushrooms. Remove stems and chop mushroom stems and set aside.

Brown and crumble sausage; drain. Set aside on a plate to cool. Using the same skillet, add onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes over medium low heat. Add mushroom stems and cook until browned (about 2 minutes). Salt and pepper, to taste. Allow to cool.

In a bowl, combine cream cheese and egg yolk. Stir together with parmesan cheese. Add sausage and onion/mushroom stems to mixture. Refrigerate for a short time to firm up.

Put tablespoonful of mixture into mushroom cavities, creating a sizeable mound.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Many times adults will ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. When Jon was a little boy he said that he wanted to be an "off-it-er" - meaning he wanted to take things apart (or off) and see how they work -- then someone else could be the "on-it-er" and put them back together (or on).

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

We are justified by our own faith, which means we each have to walk in our own faith.

We can't walk in someone else's faith for us. - Shawn Bolz

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org