One of the things people in Christendom freak out about is the human response to the presence of God. It's as varied as the individual expressing it. The laughter thing hit the church and many people declared it not of God. But the Bible declares that in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy, meaning that there's nothing in regards to joy that is left out. Laughter and joy are pretty close cousins. One is often the result of the other. Other manifestations seem downright scary to those of us who have been accustomed to a relationship with God that is more form than power, more principle than presence. We want everything to be decent and in order according to Corinthians, yet who are we to redefine what God considers to be order? Consider this.

The most beautiful vomit I've ever seen was after my then pregnant wife ate a whole bag of gummi bears by herself. It was a moment to cherish, preparing me for the event to come, the birth of my son. In that room, there was strange sounds, odd fluids, offensive facial contortions, and general chaos, at least from where I was sitting. Yet, those in the room to whom this was normal seemed unfazed and unoffended. See, my definition of decent and order stemming from ignorance, was violated by those with experience who considered everything that happened to be pretty well normal for a birth experience.

In the past year I have watched people answer the invitation of the Scriptures to experience and encounter the manifest presence of God that touches them from the inside out. What used to be offensive now brings me joy. What used to be disorderly now seems normal. Experience has renewed my mind to be able to expand the manner by which I can hear the voice of God. If you're open to the presence of God, I'd erase that list of acceptable manifestations and be ready for just about anything.

Some of you have emailed me asking for more testimonies. Here are a few cool things that have happened in the last few weeks at Grace Church to people I know personally and was there when it happened.

Merri Lee had constant pain in her feet, and had two surgeries to remedy it without success. She received prayer, felt a heat in her feet and the pain was gone. She walked with her husband on the beach that day with no pain.

After prayer Lu went to get her platelet count checked. Her normal count for years has been 40- 50,000 while the healthy count is 170,000. Her count came out at 170,000 with no change in diet or medication. The doctor was amazed.

Judy had prayed for her son to come to Christ. For two years he did not come to church. On a Thursday, she took a prayer cloth and slipped it into his wallet without a word. On Sunday, he came uninvited to church and dedicated his life to the Lord.

Kip received prayer for his knees. After prayer he went outside and heard God say, "Run". So he ran down the street and back with no pain.

Keal came into a worship gathering and at the end of the service came up to the microphone and declared that after being out of church since the age of six, God was calling him back to a relationship. He was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit spending the next hour or so on the floor unable to move or speak.

Susanna brought her friend, Solei, who had no experience with church, into a gathering. She sat on the front row and was both saved and filled with the Holy Spirit right at her chair. She reported (while trembling) that she literally "felt" the manifest presence of God on her and with no prior experience of the phenomenon, she spoke in other tongues.

Terri, who suffered with asthma testified of her healing. Her lungs were clear and she doesn't have to use her inhaler anymore.

A visitor from Egypt had a degenerative condition in her shoulders and couldn't lift her arms above her head. After prayer she was able to lift her arms straight up without pain.

Earl Thurner prayed for a man whose business was in the red and he was about to file bankruptcy. More than $50,000 showed up within 48 hours from various sources as well as some contracts that would bring continued income for the next six months.

John had suffered for six weeks with intestinal problems and couldn't eat a meal without stomach pain afterward. Some believers whose hands were literally tingling prayed for him and afterward he's been able to eat without pain or discomfort.

God is alive.

This week began the Maui School of Supernatural Ministry. Eighty one hungry, relentless, radical, revivalists came together in one room to be a part of something bigger than they themselves. Ok, it sounds like a movie trailer I know. But I can't stress the importance of this enough. I've seen what can happen when people with a healthy appetite for more of the presence of God get together. It doesn't look quite like church as usual. On a small or large scale, it's amazing. It's what every church should look like at every gathering. I'm telling you something here. If hungry people would stay hungry their appetite would be contagious or revolting to everyone but at least it would be provocative, that is provoking to...something! The night these pictures were taken, people were healed and prophetic words flowed like a river. Tonight, (Wed) a few young people came into the service and got so radically touched by God that they ended the evening on the floor overcome by the manifest presence of God. We speak of the Kingdom, the filling of the Holy Spirit, the radical obedience of Jesus, the revelation of the Father's embrace, and the standard of on earth as it is in heaven, and things just happen. The Holy Spirit will honor the message in the hearts of the hearers every single time. C'MON GOD!!!