Chapter Fifteen

Fifteen

Paine Harbor Community Church

The Next Day

Reverend Sharp's feeble and decreasing flock gathered the next morning at Paine Harbor Community Church for what they expected would be church-as-usual. Spiritless music performed without passion, followed by Reverend Sharp's usual messages of criticism, condemnation and guilt. What they got, however, was far different than they’d anticipated.

Greta played the piano with zest, and tears ran down her face as the incredible meaning of the words she sung touched her in the deepest places. While the congregation didn’t notice it immediately, Reverend Sharp and Sarah most certainly did. It was as if Greta had stepped into a different reality as her fingers played the notes. She had a smile of great satisfaction on her face and seemed to glow.

When Sarah realized what was happening with her mother she began to hope today would be a special day; a day of something new and fresh. In fact, since awakening this morning she’d sensed in her spirit it was going to be an important day, so much so she took extra care in her appearance and chose purposefully to sit close to her father on the front row. Ordinarily, Sarah would do anything to get out of coming to church meetings and frequently would be found helping in the nursery. But today, she honestly wanted to be in church.

Axel’s heart was beating excitedly as he stared at his wife in wonder. “God,” he silently cried out, “what is going on here?” When it came time for his message, he stood in his pulpit, unable to speak. The congregation wondered and murmured amongst themselves. Eventually he found words. “Love,” he said quietly as he looked into the eyes of those gathered. “Love. That's it. That’s what I've been missing in my ministry. I've been the giver of Truth, the defender of holiness, the critic of sin, but love has been strangely absent.”

Stepping out of the pulpit and down the steps to the level of the congregants. “Love. Did you know love covers sin? Did you know love removes fear? Did you know love opens people up to be who they truly are? I'm not sure, but I think I missed that. No, please excuse me. I know for a fact I missed that.”

Moving over to his wife and daughter, he put his hand on Greta's shoulder gently and tenderly. “Greta, oh Greta, I’m coming to see you more clearly than ever. You are the strongest, bravest, most courageous woman I’ve ever known. Forgive me, honey, I’ve missed that!

Looking into his daughter's face, he said quietly, “Did you know my daughter is a gifted pianist who loves Mozart? Well, she is. And you know what else? She loves coffee too!” He paused to laugh. “Did you know when she hears or plays Mozart there is something in her which comes alive? I don't blame you if you don't know. I didn't until this week. Honey, I'm sorry I didn't know. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I should have known. I am sorry.” Sarah took her dad's hands in hers and nodded affirmation, looking at him through tear-filled eyes in stunned amazement.

“I have to tell you about something which happened to me this week.” He paused, gathering his courage and his thoughts. “I had an encounter. I couldn’t sleep one night, so I stepped out on the porch and God met me there. He spoke to me, and I’ll never be the same. Ever. I certainly wasn’t expecting this, I just wanted some fresh air, but an Angel or the Holy Spirit or Someone – I don’t know for sure – met me and gave me a message I desperately need to hear and embrace. But in my stubbornness, I rejected the message and returned to my house. I’m an arrogant man. I’ve come to see that about myself, it isn’t easy to say it, but it is true. God sends me a message, and I reject it because it doesn’t fit into my understanding of how things work. I’m an arrogant man. So, I finally fall asleep in my study and God sends me a dream. I guess if I won’t listen while I’m awake, He’ll talk to me when I’m asleep. And in the dream there is a man – a man of glory, of light, of beauty and strength. He is talking but I cannot hear him. But I want to, so I move in closer. I notice other people, and when they hear his message and are touched by him, they become like him; filled with light, love and glory! Finally, I’m close enough to hear him and he reaches out to touch me with a sword. Not to do me harm, but to impart something to me. As he touched me, suddenly I understood – deep inside where it matters, I understood.”

Stopping for a moment, he looked around the chapel at the gathered flock. Some would say later his appearance had changed and he had a ‘glow’ about him. All would say they’d never heard a message quite like this one. And no one was drifting off to sleep or lost in thoughts about other things.

“I understood,” he continued, “God’s love for me is intensely personal. He really, really, really loves ME – Axel Sharp. I am loved. Not because of what I do, not because I’m good, not because I’m a minister. No! He loves me because I am important to Him. He loves me because He sees me as special. He loves me because of who He is. I can’t explain it, but I know I’ll never be the same. Ever. And, if this is true of me, it is most certainly true of you.”

Looking intently at his congregation, he paused thoughtfully as if he was trying to form his next thoughts. Finally he opened his mouth and said, “I haven't been a good pastor. I got things backwards. I thought it was my job to be one of God's policemen, when all the time He wanted me to just love people. Somehow, in the midst of it all, I missed key element. It's all about love. If you will forgive me, I'm going to change and do just that. But it's up to you. You decide. If you want me to remain as your pastor, I'd be honored to do so, but if you don't, I'd certainly understand. It's up to you. Let me know what you decide. Regardless of what you decide, I want you to know I genuinely love you.” And with that he walked down the middle aisle and out of the church building, leaving his shocked congregation to make a decision.

Greta and Sarah picked up their things and hurried out after him. What no one inside could see was what Greta and Sarah did for Axel on the front steps of the church.  Catching up with him they wrapped their arms around him and spoke words of love, support and blessing.  The Sharp family wept; united for the first time in years.

What happened next inside the church building was unprecedented. As the congregation sat in stunned silence, unsure of what to do next, an elderly lady by the name of Mrs. Molly Hope stood up unsteadily, and using her walker she slowly made her way to the front. Mrs. Hope had lived in Paine Harbor for over 70 years and had been along with her late husband Generro, one of the founding members of the church. She was largely considered to be the matriarch of the church. What was already an awkward moment grew even tenser in anticipation of what Mrs. Hope might say. All eyes were fixed on her elderly face as she began - slowly and with considerable emotion through her thick accent - to speak.

“Beloved, this is what I have been expecting for years. You see, as my body grew frail, I could no longer do many of the things in this church I was able to do in earlier years, but the one thing remained for me to do, turns out to have been the most important. I prayed. Daily. I prayed for our good Reverend Sharp to discover grace, and I prayed for us, as his flock, to embrace it when he brought it to us. God's Spirit has met Reverend Sharp and he is a different man. I can see it in his eyes, and I can hear it in his voice,” she paused looking out over the small gathering. It was as if they were in a state of shock unknowing what to think or to do. She continued, “I know you are confused right now, but I say unto you all - this is of God and He wants to touch each of us deeply with His grace and mercy - and as we are changed by this encounter, so too will Paine Harbor experience a profound transformation.”

People began to nod their heads in understanding. A sense of anticipation grew, and it was one of joy and possibility instead of the more familiar sense of dread.

“I'm just one voice, but I'm here to say we must support our pastor in this moment. He has heard the voice of the Lord and we too must respond in kind. He will need us to walk with him into uncharted territory,” Mrs. Hope said in conclusion. “I don't know what you are going to do, but me and my walker are going to make our way up this aisle, out the door and I'm going next door to the Parsonage to tell him.”

The squeak in the wheels of her walker increased as she did her best to move at a rapid speed towards the doors. First one person, then another family, and yet another stood to their feet to follow Mrs. Hope. When she turned her head, she was pleasantly surprised to see the entire congregation was on its feet and was moving in unity with her.

As one of the deacons ran ahead of Mrs. Hope to open the heavy wooden doors, suddenly the sun broke through the seemingly omnipresent cloud cover and illuminated the church building and the path leading to the Sharp's home. The people couldn't help but notice this remarkable event.  Suddenly one of the men began to sing a simple song of praise which was quickly picked up by the entire group. “Alleluia! Alleluia! You are worthy of praise! Alleluia! Alleluia! I give you my worship!” the people sang in harmony and beauty in absolute awe of what they were experiencing together.

Mrs. Sharp had just brought her husband a fresh cup of coffee as he rested in his favorite chair in the living room when she thought she heard singing. “Did you hear that Axel?” she asked.

Sarah, interrupted and said with some excitement, “Well I did!” as she ran to the door just in time to see the group approaching. “Uh, Dad, Mom, you are going to want to see this! Hurry, come here!” she said with urgency. “Hurry!”

Reverend Sharp stood in his doorway unable to speak. He had honestly thought he'd just finished preaching his final message in Paine Harbor. Now he was completely overwhelmed by what was occurring. Greta reached over and slipped her arm through her husband's and Sarah gently put her hand on his shoulder.

Deacon Maduro spoke up and said, “Reverend Sharp, what you just did was one of the most courageous things I've ever seen. I applaud you.” Turning to the assembled group, he continued, “We all do. And what is more, we are with you. We are with you, sir. We want what you've experienced.” As he grew silent, the crowd began to chime in their approval and their desires for more of whatever it was Reverend Sharp had discovered.

Watching all of this was Andi. She had quietly approached the group from the side and now stood only a few feet away from the Sharp family on the edge of their front porch. It was Sarah who noticed her first, and when she did, she waved at her and motioned for Andi to come over. Upon seeing her Reverend Sharp smiled and put his arms around her.

“Everyone, this is the one of the people God has used to change my heart. Her name is Andi. She is new to Paine Harbor, but I think you are going to like her.” Reverend Sharp said with gratitude, turning to Andi he continued, “Andi, would you please say something?”

“Thank you, Reverend Axel,” she said. “Hello dearly beloved children of God. What a delight and mystery today is, I'm sure you'd agree.” As she paused the smiling crowd nodded in unison. “Someone said 'doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is the definition of insanity.' Well, I'm here to say as of today the madness of dead religious ritual is over and the joy of discovering a new way of interacting with God has begun! It is God’s will your lives become filled with joy, peace, and beauty. I know many of you have been deeply wounded and carry the heavy baggage of unresolved grief, but the time for healing is here today. I decree you have stepped into a new era as people of faith! I decree you are going to taste and see the goodness of God like never before. I decree it is God's will to set you free from the heaviness you've carried. Today is a day for freedom and joy! It is a day for renewal and revival. Today is a day for life abundant to flow like a mighty river.  Rise up dearly beloved friends of God and step into your destiny!”

Andi paused and looked around the gathered people of faith, and then realized there was a needed warning she had to give. “This freedom, joy, renewal and revival I’ve spoken of - you can have it if you want it - but, there is a price to be paid.”

“What price could be too much for what you speak? We are miserable! We are sick and tired of being sick and tired!” Deacon Maduro interrupted.

“Of course you are,” she replied tenderly. “The price is you must become open to interacting with God in new ways. You cannot stay the same and go with God.”

Turning toward Reverend Sharp, she continued, “I hear the Holy Spirit saying when you were a boy, you discovered your father was unfaithful to your mother. He had cheated on your mother and had children with another woman. When you discovered that, a seed was planted in your heart, one which you've spent nearly all of your life protecting. It was a seed of hatred. You grew to hate your father.”

Axel's face was white. He had never spoken of this family secret to anyone, including his own wife.

“This hatred has grown into a prison cell holding your back from the freedom Jesus intends for you! Today, you are going to get free of this hatred. The Spirit of the Lord is going to heal you – right here, right now. Axel, the key to your healing is one word: Forgiveness. It is time to forgive your father by faith. And as you do so, God will heal you. 100 percent. Are you willing?” Andi asked with quietness.

“I don't know how...” he stammered.

“That's okay,” she smiled. “He will help you.”

“Okay,” he said. “I surely am in need.”

Turning to the gathered church family, Andi gave instructions. Soon the crowd had gathered closely around the Sharp family, and those within reach placed their hands on him and they began to quietly pray.

Suddenly, he found a new strength building within him. And Andi spoke up, “Axel, it is God's will you forgive your father, and because of this, He will give you the strength to do so. Will you receive His strength?” 

“Yes,” he nodded. In a simple act of faith, it began. Suddenly, in what later he would describe as a feeling like 'liquid love', God's power flowed into his body. The power was tangible and electric, and he heard himself saying what only moments ago would have been impossible: “I forgive you father. I release you from all responsibility for your actions. I am not your judge. I'm giving you to God. I forgive. God, please heal my heart of the horrid bitterness which has grown there for so long. Set me free!”

No one present could deny God was at work. For as soon as these words were uttered, Axel's body began to shake as the Spirit of God ministered and released him from the gut-wrenching grip of grief. His body shook like it was attached to one of those old-fashioned weight-loss belts, the tears flowing like a waterfall and his sobs filling the air. In one life-altering experience, he was being permanently set free. All present were deeply moved and intuitively began to sing songs of worship, in corporate awe of what they were seeing.

As time passed, the shaking in Axel's body began to lessen, but without hesitation or instruction, he opened his mouth in praise and a wonderful language of love erupted. With his arms lifted high, he sang in his rich voice but in a language he didn't know! Reverend Sharp heard himself singing: “Lof Guði ást sem höfðu vald til að breyta lífi!” While he didn't understand a word he was saying, deep inside he knew he was receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, something his theological training denied was possible.

Without any warning, Mrs. Hope began to shout with the energy of someone forty years younger. “Do you hear what he is saying? Do you understand?” Of course the people didn't know but simply recognized it as a manifestation of God's presence. “It's my native tongue! It's Icelandic! He is speaking in my native tongue! Halleluiah! Reverend Sharp is worshipping in my native tongue! Oh, praise God! Lof Guði ást sem höfðu vald til að breyta lífi! Lof Guði ást sem höfðu vald til að breyta lífi!” she sang in her own language. “Praise to the God of love who has power to transform lives! That's what he's singing!”

Andi spoke up, “Beloved, what you are witnessing is only the beginning of what He desires to do amongst the people of Paine Harbor. This is revival. This is healing. This is power at work to transform and here is the wonderful thing, it's for everyone! You can have it, if you want it.” With that she grew quiet, anticipating the people's response.

The clouds had darkened in the ensuing minutes, unnoticed by all. Suddenly, there was a resounding clap of thunder, and the sky broke forth in a torrential downpour of rain. Immediately all were drenched to the skin, yet oddly, no one moved. Over the sound of the pouring rain, a voice was heard: “I want it! I want it, Oh God, I want it!” It was Sarah screaming out to God for what she had just witnessed her father receive.

Greta cried out, “Me too! Oh God, whatever you've got, I want it!”

Nearly all the voices began to cry out to God for more of His presence, more of His power and for this baptism of love they'd seen demonstrated in the life of their pastor.

“And so, you shall have your heart's desire,” Andi said with confidence. And they did. In spite of the rain, each person who had cried out to God received the answer to his or her prayers. Some broke out in spontaneous praise; others quietly knelt in adoration, husbands and wives held each other in joyous worship. Children danced. With wild abandon, the people of Paine Harbor Community Church stepped into intimacy and revival like never before.

Quietly, Andi walked over to Mrs. Hope and put her arm around her shoulder like an old friend might do. Molly softly said, “Finally. After all these years, I’m seeing what I’ve have believed for!

“Thank God!” Andi nodded in joyful agreement.

This revival party on the lawn of the Parsonage continued on until the people were physically exhausted and overwhelmed with love, peace and confidence. Finally, Greta prophesied for the first time in her life to the group, “Family, God has come to Paine Harbor. We are not alone. He is with us and this is only the beginning. Go home, dry off and reflect on the gift which has been poured out upon you this afternoon. Let’s meet tomorrow evening to hear testimonies from one another about what He is doing!”

The Same Afternoon

Grace Cottage

Sandy and Oliver had not attended Paine Harbor Community Church, instead choosing to use Sunday as a genuine day of rest, reflection and gratitude for what God was doing in their little family. Around noon, Oliver looked up from the book he was reading, and went to the front porch with an odd look on his face. Sandy came out of the kitchen with their lunch to see her husband standing outside looking intently across Paine Harbor.

“What is it? Do you see something? Is everything okay, Oliver?” Sandy asked.

Initially Oliver didn't respond, but finally he turned to his beloved bride and the mother of his yet unborn triplets and said, “Sandy, I'm not sure, but I have the strangest sense something really big is happening right now in Paine Harbor. And it's good, really good. More than that, it is part of why we are here. What is happening is going to impact us and we are going to be part of whatever it is,” he said confidently.

Sandy set down her plate and walked quietly to stand by her husband and stared off in the same direction while taking his hand in hers.  They stood quietly, each wondering what this all meant and in what way it might impact them. She had recently begun a new habit of rubbing her stomach anticipating the miracles contained within. “Ollie, whatever it is, I'm glad we'll be together. I'm glad we will be together.” It was just then a sharp clap of thunder struck, causing Sandy to jump in surprise. Oliver slipped his arm around her shoulder and continued to stare off into the distance.