Holy of Holies

HOLY GROUND
SACRED
ALMIGHTY GOD
CONNECTION
INTIMACY
PURITY
UNWORTHY
MERCY

These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about the presence of the Lord. God's presence is so powerful yet gentle at the same time. It is something I long to be in always, yet feel removed from all too often. It is in His presence that I find everything that I need. It is there that I am closest to Him. It is where I need to be.

I happen to be watching an episode of Touched By An Angel today that I have never seen before. I watched this show many years ago and lost touch with watching it due to it's airing on Sunday nights (we were always at choir practice and church). The episode I watched today hit me pretty hard. The ending had me in tears, tears that I could not stop. It amazes me, the writing of that show. I used to tease Mike because when we'd watch it years ago, he cried at every episode. I mean literally, every single episode. I now know why.

I have found myself all day long thinking about the presence of God and how we as Christians tend to go on this search for it. I have and still struggle with find God's presence in my life. Sometimes I feel so disconnected and as far away from Him as I've ever been. And yet, as silly as it seems, in the moments like today when I watched the ending of this show I felt His presence. Maybe it was just a personal moment between God and I. But maybe not.

In this particular episode a middle aged college professor was on a hunt to find the Ark of the Covenant. The reasoning behind his search was purely self motivated and not at all for spiritual reasons. After coming across what he thinks is a lead to where the Ark is located, he travels to the middle east looking for this cave in which he believes hold the Ark. I have attached the clip that was most profound. It is a bit lengthy but I believe is worth watching. The first few moments are slow but leads up to something quite amazing.





Though much more took place, it was the presence of the Lord that came like a dove and shone all around that brought me to tears. And truly there is no better place than in the presence of the Lord.

It saddens me to think about how much God's power and might has been taken for granite. I believe the presence of God can be exploited and used for personal gain in congregations. Too many times I've seen people go through the motions without out much thought of God's presence. What happened to reverence and respect for the presence of the One who has given us everything, who gave everything so that we might live? I know that even I am guilty of losing touch with the power of God's presence, so in saying that I am speaking to myself.

I am not too sure why I chose to blog about this. I have been unable to stop thinking about it today. I've been reading God's word, looking and searching for what it is He's speaking to my heart about. I just thought I would share a little piece of that with you. Feel free to share your thoughts, as I wish to understand and know more...always.

I will close with the lyrics to a song that has always touched my heart and made me think about the presence of the Lord. Until next time...

Petra
Take Me

Words and music
by Dave Browning

Take me past the outer courts

Into the Holy place

Past the brazen altar

Lord I want to see Your face

Pass me by the crowds of people

The priests who sing Your praise

I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness

And it's only found one place

Take me in to the Holy of Holies
Take me in by the blood of the Lamb
Take me in to the Holy of Holies
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am


Holy Ground...

We are standing on Holy ground.
And I know that these are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in Your presence,
on Holy ground.