I have no words. No words can aptly describe The Encounter at Cornerstone Church In Bowie, Maryland. But I will try.
It is like love wrapped me in its arms and I was suffocating on its essence. The pain, hurt, disappointment, resentment, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, doubt, fear, and hopelessness just eased out of my pores and were evaporated by the unrelenting heat of God’s essence.
Tears of release and ease flowed unhindered.
The Voice of Worship At Cornerstone Church
Her voice was like a forlorn angel on the wind.
A soothing lullaby for my soul, kissed my eardrums with every stroke of the piano keys, with every consonant of her words, with every faithful note that left her lips.
It was like sitting at the feet of God and just listening as effortless praise rose to Him.
I count myself fortunate. I count myself blessed. I counted myself among the faithful obedient ones who turned out for Saturday night’s, The Encounter at Cornerstone Church In Bowie, Maryland.
No wonder. It was aptly named, Everything was so effortless. So unhindered was it, in its execution.
She took the stage many minutes before the scheduled start, to worship for just a few souls, who were waiting, scattered in the sea of seats that filled the auditorium. Initially, her shyness obscured the blissful melodies that were to come. But soon she found her footing and it was a glorious ascension into the arms of God.
Never before has a voice moved me like this.
Moved my spirit to the feet of the cross.
Moved my soul to reveal the hidden depths.
Moved me to cry like a sobbing babe, longing for its mother.
I am lost. But He found me.
The Appointment With The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit was waiting for me. Earlier, I felt compelled to be in church. I wasn’t sure that there would be any activities that evening. But to my quiet surprise, their website said otherwise.
So organised are they. Updates readily pour from the website and their calendar syncs with my Google calendar. Praise God this church is fully functional in the 21st century.
But I digress.
Later in the evening, I was on my way, with expectant heart. I longed for God and the simpleness of reaching Him, which Cornerstone offered.
When I got there, the doors were locked. But, panic was kept at bay by an invisible calm. Music streamed from the overhead speakers as I pressed the call button, praying someone was inside. They were.
The Spirit Of Love
So polite was she who opened door.
This is what impresses me the most about this unsuspecting house of God. The Spirit of Love operates effortlessly in His people. It is refreshingly soothing and desperately welcomed.
I felt at home.
I waited in the vast lobby, then made my way into the auditorium for The Encounter at Cornerstone Church In Bowie,
The Encounter
Time slipped by unnoticed as I basked in the essence of my God. The constant companion who is always with me, was so tangible here. He revealed every hidden hurt, deeply tucked away in the recesses of my heart and it was like they no longer mattered.
He touched me in a way that only He could. My Lord took me into His presence and His Spirit healed my broken heart.
I felt renewal.
I felt rejuvenation.
I felt blessed.
A thousand tears I cried and a thousand more I willing gave for my ransom to Him. Then, I noticed that they put little tissue boxes at the front of the pews.
It was a secret no more.
They knew.
Those who attended The Encounter, weekly, knew that He would show up. They knew that he would touch you in the far recesses of your soul and that you couldn’t help but cry like a baby. They knew, for I saw several just lay prostrate before Him.
Unhindered.
They encountered Him.
*****
About the writer:
Poetess Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 30 books, and a writer for over ten years. She is also a trained Teacher and Counselor. She is a General and Copy Writer for online publications such as Revealing the Christian Life, The Island Journal, and Express Writers, among others.
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