Chapter Seventeen

Seventeen

Monday Evening

Paine Harbor Community Church

When Reverend Sharp opened the doors to Paine Harbor Community Church a few minutes before seven o'clock, he was shocked to see nearly 50 people waiting to enter into the Chapel. By the top of the hour, over 100 people had gathered. The room was electric in expectation; there was a sense of being part of something historic. “This is a Monday evening,” Axel thought to himself. “We are fortunate to have 50 or 60 people on a Sunday morning. Wow.”

He’d made no plans for the gathering. In fact, he had no idea what to do. In fact, early this morning in prayer he received explicit instructions to simply open the doors in expectant obedience and to allow Holy Spirit to set the agenda.  This was far outside the pattern of his previous ministry and as a result he was struggling to let it go. Just then he heard Mrs. Hope and her squeaking walker make her way to the front.

The room quieted down and she cleared her throat. “Beloved. We've gathered because we want more of God in our lives. This is the only agenda. This is the only purpose for our gathering. We have had enough ‘church’ - we want God,” she said to the approval of those gathered, “no sermons unless God says so! No order of service, let’s simply let Him lead.” Having said what was on her heart, she sat down.

It was at this point, a weeping sound came from the rear of the chapel. One individual was sitting quietly weeping. For a moment, there was an awkward silence, and then on the other side of the room another person was heard crying. Then another. Soon entire groupings of people were lamenting. In less than a minute, all who were gathered found themselves weeping in repentance before God Himself.

“Oh, God,” a voice was heard saying, “I am so sorry for what I’ve believed about you!” Another voice cried aloud, “Forgive us for our unbelief!” And another stated softly, “We are your people, we belong to you. Have your way with us!”

The Spirit of repentance, followed by wave upon wave of Spirit directed renewal flowed in the little chapel known as Paine Harbor Community Church. It was the single most holy moment any of those gathered had ever experienced. Reverend Sharp, deeply impacted by what was happening, remained appropriately silent.

And then, Doctor Bourbon arose and spoke, his face red with tears. “I need to tell you all something. I need to get this off of my chest. For the past twenty years, I have secretly performed illegal abortions here in Paine Harbor. And I need forgiveness. I cannot live with the guilt any longer. It’s too much to carry. And it’s why I drink.”

Just then, a little old lady seated in the third row stood up and said, “Doctor Bourbon, this is the word of the Lord for you: The blood of Jesus cleanses you of all your sin. You are forever forgiven and set free! Do not carry guilt another day!”

Ricky Böndunum spoke, “I was one of those men who forced my girlfriend to come to you, Doctor Bourbon,” he said with great convulsing sobs racking his body. “And that was wrong. I was afraid and I took the easy way out. I too need forgiveness. Oh, God…”

Standing in the back of the room was Ricky’s ex-girlfriend, Daisy Feridos. She stood to her feet and spoke. “Doc, Ricky, I was one of those women, and tonight God has given me the grace to not only forgive myself, but to forgive you as well,” pausing she composed herself for a moment. “I believe the power of God is for healing to happen and forgiveness to flow!” Turning to Doctor Bourbon and then to Ricky, with tears flowing unashamedly down her cheeks, she said softly, “You are both forgiven by me and more importantly by Jesus!”

An audible gasp was heard in the room.

Greta Sharp made her way to Daisy, taking the young woman in her arms; she lovingly spoke words of redemption and healing into her ears. In a few moments, Daisy was smiling and filled with joy. The touch of grace had brought her to complete restoration.

Reverend Sharp finally spoke, not from his high and lofty pulpit but from the center aisle, amongst his people. “This is what true grace looks and feels like. This is the Good News Jesus brings wherever He is welcomed. As your pastor, I decree to you for as long as there is breath in my body, He will be welcome here.”

It was then the sound of the piano was heard. A new song, written spontaneously by Sarah was being played with a passion, power and skill were beyond anything she’d ever done. The people joyfully joined her in song after song of extraordinary praise and glorious worship. Many would say later it was if they’d been ushered into Heaven’s throne room itself. It was well after midnight when the gathering came to a joy-filled conclusion.

As the people left the chapel late that night, everyone was in agreement God was at work doing a new and unprecedented work in Paine Harbor and they were glad of it.