The Subtitle: “Soul Searching Conversations With The Man Upstairs”

To set the stage for this week’s blog, I found myself trying to recall what life events were the initial memories to my introduction to the Triune God. And it was not long before the Holy Spirit started to enlighten my intellect by stirring up my memory. Please allow me to share with you my divine encounter with the Triune God.

Recalling that old Negro Spiritual entitled; “I love the Lord, He heard my cry” was the first ‘call and response’ musical rendition I remember singing as a child while growing up in my home church approximately 75 years ago. The song leader would meter out each line and the congregation would repeat it in a chant.

To re-introduce you to, or refresh your memory of it, just CLICK the video below and Take A Listen:

Let’s continue my initial spiritual education. Once, during my youth upbringing, while on our way to church, my grandmother explained to me that there were several reasons why our congregation sung songs in the ‘call and response‘ fashion. Chanting, as this singing style was called, was done mainly because so many people in the church could not read. Furthermore, the collection plate took in just enough money to cover church expenses and to allow the preacher a small stipend. Nothing was left over for the purchase of a piano…not to mention hymnbooks.

Out of respect, I received all of those excuses from grandmother, but I still had my own (devilish) reasons. For months, I had been watching and taking bets on just which person would strike up the lead song at each Sunday Service. You see, I detected a power play was going on.

The male elders would be sitting on the side bench in front of the pews. All would be rocking back and forth and patting their feet to the syncopated song beat. I observed that the elder brother rocking the deepest or shouting ‘amen’ the loudest or waving his arm in the air the highest would be the one to call out the response’s first line of the chant. Next, another brother would commence leading a fervent prayer. Finally, after about a good twenty minutes (or longer), emotions would subside and the choir would begin leading with a congregational song. I was never wrong in my observance nor did I ever lose a bet.

Even now with our modern way of singing songs in church, I never lost my love for the call and response method of participating in chanting call and response songs. For I truly believe that this experience was my first introduction to the ways and means of the function of the Holy Spirit(*). I also believe I was formerly introduced to the Holy Spirit after receiving water baptizing in the Name of The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As I grew older and began to journal while studying God’s word, I was convicted that Jesus was the Son of God. I started to see a pattern in my note taking. Anytime I had a question about a particular passage of scripture, seemingly, the Holy Spirit would answer by directing me to another part of the Bible. My notebook read like two people conversing. Sometimes quarreling, with one voice rebuking and the other repenting. Other times like a child listening to her mother and also receiving good advise from a beloved deceased grandmother. (That experience caused me to see Jesus’ character mimic more and more like godly character.

Often, the next time when I reviewed my notes, I did not recognize my own handwriting. Many notations were so profound and full of wisdom (the Holy Spirit) that I questioned if the words had been written by me.

Humbly, I submit to you that I truly know Who is the real author of those encounters. It is and continues to be The Holy Spirit! Also, I know that He wants me to share my experiences with you. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, also desires for you to engage Him in holy communication. He loves to debate in profitable understandings and to lift up the heads of all those who are downtrodden and who will make themselves available to Him.

So why not come to Him…not only with your Bible, but also with pen and paper. Submit to having a dialogue with all THREE…..GOD THE FATHER; GOD THE SON; AND GOD THE HOLY GHOST.

(*) NOTE: Those chants gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

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