This Sunday was not unlike any other Sunday, at least at first.   Sally, the kids,
and I had pulled ourselves from bed, ate our breakfast, dressed, (the kids with
Sally’s help), and piled into the car.   Our arrival at First Assembly in Clarksville,
Tennessee was uneventful; our Sunday School classes, usually quite interesting,
were again interesting.  There was no hint of what was to come that Sunday
during worship.
     We all met in the foyer after Sunday School and proceeded to our preferred
seats, not too far back, not to close to the front.   The service began quite as
usual.  There were a few songs, announcements, the offering, more songs.  It
was during the second set of songs that things became quite unusual.
     The song leader, one of the laymen of the church, was usually reserved, yet
open to the Spirit.  He began to lead the congregation in singing  “Living By
Faith”.  As we were singing the chorus, after the second verse, the whole
atmosphere suddenly changed.   Without warning the presence of God was
powerfully felt by literally everyone in the congregation of about 700.  The song
leader led the congregation in repeated choruses of “Living By Faith”.  With each
repetition the power became stronger until the song leader, weeping, and unable
to stand under the power, could no longer lead the chorus.   There were wailings
and crying out to God.  People were running to the altar and throwing themselves
down prostrate.   Unsaved people ran forward and gave their lives to God.  There
was no dancing, laughter or other irreverent outbursts.  The atmosphere was one
of total reverence to God,  real revival!
     Sally, the kids, and I were standing at our pew, totally overcome by the Spirit.
I had tears streaming down my face.  Then the floor began to tremble.  I
wondered what was causing the concrete floor to shake.  The shaking had a kind
of rhythm.  It was then I realized that there was this huge black lady behind me
jumping up and down.  I glanced behind me to see her bouncing up and down,
tears streaking her make-up down to her chin.  I turned forward again and just
enjoyed the presence of God.   The black lady continued to bounce.
     Then it happened!  The black lady began to shout.  There were others
shouting out to God, but the difference was what this jumping black lady shouted.
She began to shout.  “Master Jesus, Master Jesus, Master Jesus.”
     Then God really grabbed my attention.  I began to weep even more furiously
as I God began to speak to my heart and say, “That is the relationship I desire
with all my children.”   It was then, that the writings of the Apostle Paul came to
mind, where he says we are to be slaves to Christ, not out of fear or compulsion,
but out of love.  I began to also utter, “Master Jesus, Master Jesus.”  I grew
louder and even more under the power of God’s love.   I don’t remember how the
service ended.  I think Pastor Jones saved his sermon for another day.   I just
know it was a day I will always remember as the day I learned what real revival is
like, and what is our proper relationship to Jesus.
     I hope that by sharing this experience you will be helped in coming closer to
Christ.

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