THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The preacher at our American Baptist pastors' retreat tonight spoke about the importance of experience in the life of our churches. He said it's what is missing from too many congregations.

He said we can have programs and preaching and head knowledge of God, but if we don't have His presence, something is completely off.

He spoke of sitting down to eat at a P.F. Chang's some time ago only to be told they were out of rice.

Later he stopped at an IHOP and ordered pancakes. But his waitress said the restaurant was out of syrup.

Not long after that, he walked up to the counter of a KFC and heard the cashier tell the customer in front of him that everything on the menu was available except chicken. They had run out.

This, the preacher explained, is what it's like to enter a church which doesn't enjoy God's presence.

It's like a Chinese restaurant without rice.

An IHOP without maple syrup.

A KFC without chicken.

It should not be possible, but it happens.