From Sandee Glanz:
I loved the service on Sunday! Did I mention that I really loved being a part of the Russian Worship?
Looking back on it over lunch, I remembered experiencing curiosity at first, then a growing sense of uncomfortableness, and a closeness to Mike (my husband) and also the group ('cause I'm part of their team!). My awe at my own ability to worship God and sync my heart with praise lifted up to Him, although in a different language, spoke deeply to me of the True Nature of God, and His deep desire that all of earth praise Him! Worship is Worship, in whatever language. Only God reads the language of every heart on earth.
Finally, I began to sense a deep respect and awe for the passion of the people. i fought back tears at first, and then just let them flow! The people were unswervingly in-tune to whomever was talking, and listened intently without seeming to be disrupted by the constant movement of some in the congregation. The ladies in the row in front of me continually dabbed at their eyes during the testimonies of their peers. Men gestured consent to certain comments made, and repeatedly pointed toward Heaven. I didn't see people fidgeting with dis-interest, or kids texting, although I couldn't see everyone. I guess overall, I FELT His presence in a new, fresh way.
In some ways, I had trouble understanding the seeming innocence in their faith, faith expressed like a child would. I guess I expected a higher level of expression of faith...don't know if I am communicating this properly, but it seemed like they had never heard any of this before, and it was all new and wonderful and exciting. They expressed the simple honest truth of God's redeeming love in a new, fresh way as they unabashedly told of the life-altering revolution they experienced at the foot of the Cross. I tried to remember if I'd ever expressed the same in my life.
In retrospect, I think we in America have heard and experienced "religion" all of our lives, and the callous indifference of our hearts has allowed, perhaps caused us to "refine" our faith, our words, our expectations to some "adult", or "higher" level...in short, I fear even the sincerest saints have perhaps lost the true exhileration of the newness, the awesomeness of what God did for us when He sacrificed His Son for each of us. I came away truly touched as I examined my own story.
From Olga Lutsky
The email from Sandee was amazing! Thats WHY i love that Russian church so much and was attending there almost 3 years!!! God moves in that place! They love Jesus! AMEN!
