Every year, Son Life Church, the church founded by my parents and my spiritual home for the better part of my life, celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles. Taken from the Jewish tradition where the people of Israel would take time out of their calendars to come and tabernacle with God, rest in His presence and hear His voice.
The Feast at Son Life is a time of celebration, a time of renewal, a time of refreshing and meeting with God. In many ways, it marks the new year for members of Son Life. My entire life, growing up, the Feast was always an event that I looked forward to with great expectation.
Then, I was on staff for several years, and the real work of Feast began. Weeks before the event ever came, we were up countless nights working on music, rehearsing our theatrical production, holding prayer vigils, building set pieces, editing videos, etc., etc... the work before was always tiresome, but none of us were ever short on energy because our expectations were so high. We knew that, in a short while, we would be tabernacling with the Lord and hearing His voice.
This year, the theme of the conference is "Encounter: Exposing A Natural World To A Supernatural God."
I pray for Son Life and all who are attending that this theme be more than just words, but that the members of that local body would receive revelation on how they might positively effect transformation in the world around them by the one thing that truly changes lives --- the immeasurable, supernatural love of Jesus Christ.
The Feast starts this Thursday night at Son Life. Oh, how I wish I could be there.
My heart swells with emotion when I think of those dear saints in Collinsville who earnestly seek after the Lord with all their hearts. My prayer is that their expectation of the tangible presence of the Almighty One would overwhelm their services, that God's Holy Presence would draw near to them as they boldy enter into the throne room of Grace.
My friends in Collinsville, I wish I could be there with you; but know that my heart is with you always and I hope, pray and believe the God is able to make all Grace abound to you. Be filled with His faith, His hope, His love and may this year be a year of vision and breakthrough for you. I love you all!
Making me cry! Now, I'm off to Feast practice! (I wish you could be here, too!)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dallas for that awesome reminder of why we do what we do. Our labors are just part of creating the platform for, not only ourselves, but the body of Christ to come and "encounter" their God during this annual weekend event set apart to spend nearly 'round the clock time with the lover of our souls. And with just one touch from Him we are changed for a lifetime and so is the world around us. So again, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLooking to the day when we WILL web cast the entire conference so that those around the nation and world can join with the community of believers in Collinsville to exalt the name of our God!
Wish you and your little family were able to be here. Meeting with our God during this special season is most enjoyable when all our loved ones can share in it with us. Holding you in our prayers and Love You all.
ReplyDeleteDallas, The Feast was an incredible learning event for me from the onset. As people assembled; the expectations were high. Gathering was intentional. Praise was eminent. The outcome was not only a blessing but by choice. You either decided to make a change by being expectant or wonder what was going on.
ReplyDeleteI truly hold those feast days as special, confidential, and personal.
It is true that what we think and feel and do produces the outcome we want.
I pray blessing on your faithfulness as a church and as a family.
Paula
Hey Brother , thus is Todd and the Feast just won't be the same without you. We will do our best to perpetuate "CHARISMANIA" throughout the ages by carrying on no matter who is at our side and keeping the torch burning bright until the young Lex's of the world can step up on top of the sub woofer, take hold of the water bottle of their generation, and throw it on the
ReplyDelete"unsuspecting" Feast attendees!
Love you Man