What I Have Seen and Heard

The weekend. What if?

London tube on 35mm film

What a weekend it was indeed.

I often think lately, what am I taking in? what am I seeing and hearing? Is it good for me?

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:7

The word “always” resonates. Love never gives up.

Whether there is a hunger or not for Jesus, it seems as though He was drawing thousands, if not millions, this past weekend.

To the streets of London, inside of homes, pubs, restaurants and the hundreds of guests at Westminster Abbey there were millions tuning in around the world to watch the new King of England be crowned. Crowned in a way that made it extremely clear that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was whom this new King would have to consult and serve on a daily basis. That King Charles was there to serve and not be served. He had big shoes to fill, the same family in disarray and an entire country focused on this new era of tradition, service and peace-keeping.

Whether you watched or not, are a royal fan or not, minus all the historical gold and glitter it was clear the job at hand. I heard it in the readings and in worship music.

I have seen this in less organized, unabated street revival.. un-televised against the backdrop of televised fiery, destructive protest.

At the same time, my son-in-law’s brother, wife and three young children were part of a missions trip to Zambia, Africa, where they brought their ministry, Radiant House, Colorado, to the Crusades of this tender nation. They preached the Gospel and the Good Word of Jesus to a hungry people for three weeks. Thousands have laid down drugs, alcohol and abusive ways to give their lives over to God. Many have been healed from health ailments.

In the Bible, during The Great Commission, outlined in Matthew 28:16–20, on a mountain in Galilee, Jesus calls on his followers to make disciples of and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Many Christian missionaries have taken up this calling for centuries and many are taking up this calling to revive the nations more than ever today. To deliver humanity out of emotional and physical destitution, under extreme conditions, of poverty, war, political agendas and oppression. Many have risked and died to spread the Love of Christ. It is not televised.

During the last three years I have watched and supported other ministries, like Let Us Worship, in our own country, bravely preaching The Word and worshiping on the streets, in parks, by rivers, performing baptisms for thousands of hungry people.

The only public television news you will ever hear about this is, well.. none.

Instead, outlets like Rolling Stone magazine and mainstream media have mocked, fueled death threats against missionaries like these, and have helped continue to hide the great need of humanity to be loved and saved from themselves.

My eyes and ears were taking in a sea of Brits and people from around the world standing in the rain patiently listening to the highly religious coronation ceremony of a King. That Love would reign over this great calling to serve. Only God knows the hearts He touched on Saturday.

At the same time, through a live Facebook feed early Sunday, I watched as thousands of people in Zambia were calling out to Jesus in a dusty field that seemed to reach miles, lighting candles to see in the darkness, as my daughter’s sister-in-law preached the Word from a makeshift stage. There were so many it was not only awe-inspiring, but it showed the desperation of a people without modern conveniences, walking for hours or taking different types of transportation to show up to a Crusade. To inflict themselves with Agape’ Love.

On Saturday evening we sat down to watch a National Geographic documentary called “The Rescue.” It’s a true story of the mind boggling rescue that took place in 2018, in Thailand, of 12 young boys and their soccer coach, trapped for nearly three weeks in a water-filled cave. I have never seen anything like it in my life. What my heart took in the most was not just the boys themselves, their trust, the heroism involved, but the mothers who never left the muddy monsoon swept area near the cave entry waiting and praying for their sons to come home. God loves family and He especially loves mothers. I saw myself waiting. As the documentary ended, we looked at each other and gave all Glory to God. Only God knows the lives changed for Him in that one rescue where millions of people were hanging onto all the news reports from around the world.

On Sunday morning we went to church where pastor’s teaching was continuing on the importance of prayer. Simple or long-lasting, prayer is truly at the center of what we can control. In our very quaint, small reviving church, four young members, of the Asidor Family (with their mom) sang Way Maker and the Goodness of God. Check out the YouTube channel here! My eyes were full of tears at the beauty of their voices. If only everyone could hear them.

On Sunday, late in the day I attended a symphony concert that my husband was asked to play in. It was a wonderful surprise to have our daughter bring our five year old grandson to watch. He loved it! I wrote about ← the first time I attended this symphony “with” my husband at Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario, California.

From the moment I heard them play my eyes were filled with tears. I asked myself why? The answer is, people are sooooo beautiful, God is so good to reveal the gifts He laid before them and I am blessed to witness this eclectic symphony use their gifts.

What I didn’t say is that Bethel is an “open and affirming” church. That means they accept and encourage the LGBTQ community to attend. Many Christians might not think that this is right. That’s okay. You’re entitled to your opinion. For John and I, as parents of a beautiful gay son, we believe that having a place to go to hear God speak to us is important. I see beauty in a building where a symphony is elevated, playing historical pieces for it’s congregation and the public, where it’s okay to walk in and pray, worship and love God. Where it’s okay to be loved and feel love in return. Where people aren’t dismissed.

If it’s in the stormy streets of London, during a Coronation of a King, or watching from home on television or Facebook live, in the fields of Africa at a Crusade, inside of a cave, waiting diligently for a loved one to come home, or inside of a building that welcomes all, ours is not to question another’s personal relationship with God, how and when He chooses us.

By the time the evening came around I wasn’t sure my eyes and ears could take much more of God’s beauty, His people, their talents, but there we were turning on American Idol. I live in the world and I want to see and hear what God has to offer us here. I don’t think in all the years it’s been on t.v. I’ve ever seen more talent, more love of family and more tears of credit going to God.

What a triumphant display to see so many young people grow out of a terrible pandemic.

There was no bad news this past weekend because all I saw and heard was the goodness of God in a suffering world.

In a world often gone mad, where media and leadership is wrought with self and agendas, leading people off of cliffs:

There lies simple goodness.

Open doors.

Places where people are not divided.

Revival, crusades and tangible care.

A hopeful world.

Servants of the people.

A way out of the darkness.

Where there is no fear or judgement.

Places on earth to sing and praise Him.

To let go, let God and Love.

Continue to open my eyes and ears to people.

“Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops. What if your healing comes through tears. What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?

- Laura Story, “Blessings”