~MOVIE THEATER SABBATH (MEETING JESUS AT THE MULTIPLEX)

A few Sundays ago, I visited at a church that is meeting at a movie theater.  I have noticed that several churches in Raleigh that don't have their own buildings are doing the same thing.  I liked the casual atmosphere, which I expected because of the nicely worded welcome I had read on their website.  I had to smile to myself when the collection was taken up in one of the theater's popcorn buckets. Little happenings such as that make life more
grace-full.

I wonder if God smiles to Himself when someone drops into a church service at a movie theater when that same person wouldn't have gone had the service been held in a "regular" church.  I'm reminded of a song by Sara Groves, "Tent in the Center of Town."  The lyrics follow:

There's a tent in the center of town

And the people are losing their frowns

'Cause they think they'll go there and see lions and bears

In the tent in the center of town

But it's all about the winning of souls

Say the signs on the telephone poles

They say if you are blue Jesus is calling you

To the tent in the center of town

The preacher is preaching his best

And he barely takes time for a breath

And their hearts are complete in the bearable heat

In the tent in the center of town

And the gentlemen give up their seats

To the women who've been on their feet

'Cause it's standing room only when the Holy of Holies

Blesses the center of town

There's a tent in the center of town

Where the people can gather around

Who wouldn't step foot in a church

But who aren't afraid of a Good News crusade

In the tent in the center of town

And they say they're drawn in by the stripes on the awning

And the beautiful music inside

But they're drawn by the Spirit that's pouring down

On the tent in the center of town

And revival hits like a wave

And hundreds are joyously saved

And the thief and adulterer lay it all on the altar

'Cause there’s grace in the center of town

In this tent in the center of town

Where the people can gather around

Who wouldn't step foot in a church

But who aren't afraid of a Good News crusade

In the tent in the center of town

The time has come to move on

To the next hurting throng

And they hope as they tear it apart

The tent will live on in their hearts

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Because of a tent in the center of town

 

I'm also reminded of a book by Max Lucado entitled, Next Door Savior.  This book explores how God is a personal God who inhabits every part of His children's lives--especially the regular, commonplace parts. He left the glories of heaven to become flesh and dwell among us (John 1:14), and the circumstances He was born into were anything but flashy.  Now, He continues to be with us in our day-to-day lives through His indwelling Spirit (John 14:15-27).  In a chapter entitled, "A Cure for the Common Life: Ordinary Places," Lucado quotes Frederick Buechner: "There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it."  Whether it's a tent in the center of town or a movie theater in the middle of the suburbs, Jesus will be there to meet us....

"My God of mercy shall come to meet me."
~Psalm 59:10a~

"Let me assure you that as you penetrate the labyrinth of life in pursuit of Christian duty, you will often be surprised and charmed by meeting your Master Himself amid its windings and turnings and receive His
soul-inspiring smile.  Or, I should rather say, you will always meet Him, wherever you go."
~Elizabeth Prentiss~

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
~Matthew 18:20~

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