Beyond Words... Glory!

Last night around at 7:20 p.m. I stood with my singers and praise dancers holding hands as we prayed for strength before we performed. I was a little under the weather because my allergies were acting up. Once I said, "Amen," I felt renewed because I knew God would strengthen us. I was immediately rejuvenated.

We opened up praise and worship at St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ at approximately 7:30 p.m. At 7:35 p.m. as I sang, "Let Your Glory Fill This Place," it was evident that the holy spirit had entered the sanctuary and hadn't planned on leaving anytime soon. Each person sang with every fiber of their being exalting the highest praise. There is nothing wrong with dancing for the Lord and that was reflected in the praise dancers last night. Through creative expression the praise dancers collectively showed passionate praise with each silent move they made to Marvin Sapp's, "The Best In Me." Members of the congregation started standing slowly during the first song but by the second song, "Let It Rise," the entire congregation stood on their feet worshipping, dancing, and praising His name. It was in a word, glorious! It was quite clear that we were getting ready to "have" church.

Before we left the church, I realized the spirit had entirely taken over which was reflected by the praise that extended from the pulpit to the back pew and beyond the church doors. People were singing and dancing as they openly praised His name with their eyes and hands pointed toward the sky. I'm sure that our celebration could be heard out on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard because we weren't trying to be sophisticated and secretly praise. We were trying to show people just how good God is. The Lord showed up and transformed every one of our spirits. There wasn't one person in the church that did not appear to be filled with His presence. Every negative thought or stress that may have been occupying our minds before we entered the church had been replaced by the comfort of the Lord.

There is no person or substance that can make you feel what the Lord brought into that place. I felt it in the depths of my soul and woke up this morning with a clean heart and mind. I, along with the other singers, praise dancers, and congregation witnessed God at work last night. As we sang our praises and called His name we gave all of our problems or concerns to Him. God is good and last night He came in that place and showed out. Today, I am still standing on that praise and will never let it go.