Day on the Plaza

The sun was shining when I awoke this morning. We spent some time in IHOP for a few hours. God is just so good to bless us with the opportunity to spend time worshipping, praying and soaking. Soaking is a great term because it aptly describes why so many people come here. They come here to soak – to be flooded with the pure water of the word – and it is cleansing, it is healing, and it is revelatory. The Lord speaks in those amazing times of warring worship (which I will write of later on here) and those intimate quiet interludes like this morning. This morning the worship centered around Matthew 5, which is what I have been studying over the past few months. “Happy are those who hunger and thirst after You, Lord. We open our mouths wide, we open our hearts wide and ask you to fill us. We are here, God – we are open! Increase our capacity to receive…” These type of choruses are what flowed out of the singing seminary. God is so good and His goodness is a constant source of blessing to me. A testimony to His goodness is how he uses others to show it by their gifts of love.

We headed out to one of my favorite places to visit while in KC – The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. They recently completed a new wing and it was simply wonderful. Architecturally, it was very interesting as it was composed entirely of translucent glass panels which looked like steel. I have some photos and I will upload those later. We met up with Dave & Liz and had such a great time going through the modern art exhibits. Robert and I had walked the perimeter of the museum, which is an awesome sculpture garden, featuring a large collection of Henri Moore pieces. We then headed to the Country Club Plaza, another KC favorite place to visit. Dave and Liz treated us to dinner at this cool Italian restaurant – and we ate on an outdoor veranda which faced the plaza and fountain. Charbroiled chicken, steamed asparagus, and crisp fries was delightfully presented on my plate, and it was quite good. It’s honestly the first time I have eaten out in so long. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it.

The Apple Store was next on the list. The Plaza is really a large outdoor mall, when you get right down to it. Pretty much every upscale store you can think of is there – from Armani to Restoration Hardware. At any rate, Apple was incredibly crowded as Leopard was just released and everyone was there checking it out. I have to say it is quite cool and I am looking forward to getting it at some point. One of the salesman engaged me in a conversation about the new iMac (which I am very much wanting to get!) and asked me whether I had a Mac. He seemed rather impressed when I told him that I have been using a Mac since 1987 (20 years!) Dave picked up a copy of Leopard, iLife and one of those amazingly cool new Apple keyboards. We did a fair share of wandering about the various stores there – it really was great just walking around, taking all kinds of photos (Dave & Josh). We always talk of days like this, but so infrequently get to have them, so I know it was such a relaxing thing for the Careys and for Robert and I. They were so generous and kind to bless us with dinner and later, Starbucks. I even had a hot chocolate (as sugar free as I could get it) and it was great.

6:30 found us back in IHOP for the EGS (Encountering God Service) with Mike Bickle speaking. He gave a brief overview on Revelation and challenged us to read the book of Revelation once a week. He said it is something he does and has been doing for many years. After his message, Misty started singing and people came up to be prayed for. It coalesced into this amazing time of passionate crying out and warring. I don’t even remember everything that was sung or said, but for me, it was the desire of my heart and the cry of my spirit just being released in unity with those like-minded brothers and sisters in the room. Robert was being prayed for by several different people. It really was an awesome time tonight as I was encouraged and challenged. God is good. I said it earlier, and it is true. This place is a resting place, a fueling station for the soul, a kick in the butt, a place of healing, of encouragement and more… all in one great package deal. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of this. I can only hope and pray that someday, we will once again have a House of Prayer burning in Michiana, because it is so vital, so necessary, and I know that when it is, the Michiana area will be changed because day and night prayer moves the heart of God.