"Circles of Truth"
When life is good, we often take glory for it, as if we're responsible for it. The human mind, the human ego can be so powerful, that we think we're in charge of our own destiny. We're not, it's all god. The gifts you might have, the talents, the smarts, the grace...it all came from god. Our pride gets in the way and until we completely humble ourselves and truly ask god to help us in our darkest/weakest moments and truly guide us, and really open our hearts and souls to him, only then, will true blessings be bestowed upon us. "For god opposes the proud and only gives grace to the humble."-- 1 Peter 5: 5-6 Why do you think people raise their hands to god when they sing, it's not only to praise him, but to allow grace in.
If you think about it we're just ants to him, idiots running around thinking we're so gosh darn important, and in 50-60 years, no one will remember us. Crazy right, so there's two options. You can either live your life however the heck you want to (that's your choice), or you can have faith that every step, every breath, was given to you for a purpose. You living right now is to serve a purpose! Whatcha gonna do with it?
That was the message today and it brought me to tears. I cried the entire time because I can't believe how much god has blessed little ole' me. It's weird, I could feel all my parents' prayers, my aunt's prayers, and everyone else in my life that prayed for me before I came out to New York. I could feel all their love hovering over me, protecting me and giving me the strength that I need everyday, to navigate through this thing called, "life."
I could feel the spirit working within me and reaching deep within my soul. I was so moved that I was swaying back and forth while singing. The music took over me.
There's something extra special at this church, be it the amazing 280 person choir that literally blows your mind and ear or the love and joy people have at this church is like no other. The no-fuss, no-muss, everyone is welcome, doesn't matter what race, gender, social-economic background, you are...if you want to be heard, healed, touched, saved, loved, whatever, this is the place.
Brooklyn Tabernacle is enormous and although it has an award-winning choir (won the Dove Awards 5 times and the Grammy Awards 6 times!) and the church is internationally known, one would think, "Gosh, I feel so alone, I don't know anyone." Nope, quite the opposite. The people are so warm and welcoming. I told them this was my first time and that I had heard so many amazing things about this church. By the end of service, I talked to and hugged so many random people. People I would never cross paths with in my "normal life,"-- people who later blessed me, people who truly loved me through the eyes of God. It was powerful.
Even if you're not a believer...I would highly recommend coming here. Take a couple hours out of your Sunday afternoon and just witness what happens. But, soon, you'll want a piece of what everyone has...which is unconditional love, forgiveness and grace from God. No human flesh can ever compete with that.