I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. -- Psalm 122:1.
I was calling on behalf of the same young man I wrote about last week with reference to his house going into foreclosure if he does not come up with the amount needed, and even though no one responded, I am still clinging to hope that his home, which also is home to an elderly mother and aunt would be saved.  It was Marcia Mortimer, indeed a wonderful person at the Mortgage Corporation that I spoke with and she will tell you when I call, someone is in trouble with their payments.
Then I made another call, but it was not about delinquent payments but my excitement about the live telecast of the Catholics World Youth Day Service coming from Madrid, Spain.  Miss Mortimer is very involved in the Youth Ministry of her Church, Our Lady's, and I told her I admire how the teachings of a church makes an indelible impact of one's life, so much so that it is seen and felt at the work place.  So the invitation came to come and fellowship during special services with speakers, Ms Percentie of St. Thomas More and Deacon Jeffrey Lloyd of St. Francis.
I knew my sense of direction and location were right, but when I entered the church a young woman was giving the introduction of Percentie,  and please do not fault me for being late, but I had first to be at mid-week worship at my church.  It was a warm intro and the congregation responded with spiritual pleasure.  Before the message, St. Thomas More's choir sang "I will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto The Hills" and gave a contemporary gospel rendition and of course, my friend Kevin on the organ does not hold anything back rhythmically.
The message was equally received as it was delivered and there were instant responses from the congregants, including clapping of hands and agreement from a shake of the tambourine.  Well the next night when Deacon Lloyd spoke and the choir sang gospel style "The Lord is My Shepherd" I was on a spiritual high.   Deacon Lloyd came to the podium well prepared and words flew and glory filled the soul.  Indeed herein lies the life's road experience of David's opening 122nd Psalm: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."
So I e-mailed Shavaughn Moss, Lifestyles Editor at The Nassau Guardian, herself a devout Catholic saying  "You don't have to leave the Catholic Church anymore!"  The discipline is there, the loyalty is there, the humility is there -- Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Virgin Mary, angels and archangels and saints and the feeling of the Holy Spirit  makes you say something when there is no written response to the order of service, and of course the music is wake up and go -- Glory To God!
Invitations have always been special for it means that you were carefully thought of to attend whatever function may be at hand.  So it was that David was invited to go to the Temple at Jerusalem for one of the important feast days.  More so was the invitation of significance because David was king.  Many times we invite important persons, national leaders being targeted to church functions, not so much for the unfolding of the Holy Spirit, but to make whatever the situation may be convenient and forceful.
But here those extending the invitation were praying for the peace of Jerusalem for they strongly believed that peace and justice follow the establishment of the Kingdom of God.  Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. David knew that he was not being teased by them, but pleased.  We are reminded to not forget the assembling of ourselves for worship.  I walked into a church recently and there was a meeting about to take place.  As I walked up the aisle, I noticed a young lady with a plastic container filled with white rice and some meat halfway in her bag. "Sorry, but this is a church and you can't eat in here, and by the way what church do you attend?"  "I don't go to church" was her reply, and you wonder why there is so much crime.  I say we had better thank God because it could have been much more.
I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the Lord's house.  And now we are here, standing inside the gates of Jerusalem, a city restored in beautiful order and harmony.  This is where the tribes of Israel (assembled) to give thanks to the Lord according to his command.  Here the kings of Israel sat to judge their people.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  May those who love you prosper.  May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces.  For the sake of my relatives and friends I say to Jerusalem, peace be with you.  For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I pray for your prosperity.
When was the last time you invited someone to go to church with you.  Do you see the many persons who are on the streets, sitting idly on walls, partying and having a good time when it is prime time to lay aside all mundane things and head to God's house for worship.
E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, or write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, telephone 293-7754 or 394-0376 with your prayer requests, concerns and comments.  God's Blessings!
 
How many acts of crime and murder may have been averted had we been more forceful in extending invitations to worship.  People are not attending church like they used to do.  They are not thinking that every deed and action must be accounted for as time is the greatest accountant of all ages.
Why wait for six men to take you to church when you can go there of your own free will.  I pray that this Sunday will be your go to church day.  Make some phone calls, e-mail, text, twitter, blog -- do something.  He hasn't reached yet, but I have on more than one occasion invited the leader of our nation to my church not for any special occasion, but just to worship and receive the word.  I am still praying that one Sunday he just shows up and I am sure he will be blessed.
 
E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, or write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, telephone 293-7754 or 394-0376 with your prayer requests, concerns and comments.  God's Blessings!

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