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| My first experience with this spiritual language!!! |
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| While having dinner with my family in a restaurant I had the most wonderful experience. I was welcomed, for the first time, with an extraordinary spiritual language. I’ve never seen anything like it in my Christian life. You see, while enjoying my dinner I saw a lovely couple came in and sat a couple of tables from us. Nothing unusual about them until the lady closed her eyes and started moving her hands and the gentleman was quietly looking at her hands. I was completely moved by the movements of her hands and the reverence in his eyes. I knew then that she was praying in sign language. I’ve seen people use sign language in church services, praise and worship, and kids ministry, but I have never seen anyone praying in that beautiful language. When she ended the prayer she did what I imagine was the “Amen” sign and the guy repeated it with his hands, then they started eating. I was moved to tears. My heart was touched by their silent prayer in a most extraordinary way. Yes, I have to admit that I was ministered in a very unconventional way… by the most beautiful sign language prayer at a restaurant. WOW!
We sometimes limit God with our finite understanding of his omniscient power. God enjoys messing up our cultural theology: “This is the way it is because this is how I was taught.” How wrong can we be? When we talk that way God takes us by the hand and redefines our presuppositional thinking about Him and about ministry. He does not want us to limit His power to a religious building, or a religious “persona.” He wants us to see Him for what He really is, and not for what we’ve made Him to be… We should not be surprised when He shows up!
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Lourdes |
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| There is a praise song on one of my CDs, and towards the end of the song the chorus is sung in the language of Zulu. More than once I too have been moved to tears singing it, I think for the very same reason you were. Singing praise to God in a language (not jibberish, but an intelligent language that God uses to relate to people in another culture) that I don't understand reminds me that He is far bigger than I, and most definitely worthy of my worship!!!!!!! Exciting blog, thanks! ~mike |
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Kathy |
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June 14, 2007 at 9:55am |
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| Wow! And being in a public restaurant didn't stop her from praying, although others were sure to stare! Had she reasoned that she could just pray "silently" (or "motionlessly"), you and the other restaurant patrons would have missed this blessing! |
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Bunny |
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June 14, 2007 at 10:00am |
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| Awesome blog, Lourdes. |
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Mike, Kathy and Bunny, Thank you for your comments and stars.
God does not cease to amaze me! I believe that whatever language used to praise him, worship him and exalt Him is absolutely awesome. AND, YES… a testimony to others. "Personally" it could be done in Spanish, English, Zulu, Tagalog, sign language, tongues of men and of angels, even gibberish ;-) If God is the recipient, I will be more that blessed. Like I was in that restaurant. |
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Lourdes,
Another star for you, my friend. I am learning to sign since my MELAS disorder is causing my hearing to fail. But this blog is not about me...
I wanted to mention that there is an excellent website called ASL Pro that has videos of just about any signed word that you can think of. Go to this page and scroll down through the "A" words. You'll find "Amen" in there and can see it signed in the Flash presentation. I'd paste the Flash presentation here but I don't know how to do it; if you even can paste it here like a YouTube video.
Blessings!
Dave |
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| Beautiful PastorDATM. I went to the website and I looked for the sign word for Jesus, God, Awe, savior, love, and forgive. It is amazing to see those powerful words in a different way! Thank you so much. |
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| I've heard praying in tongues but this was praying in hands, LOL. |
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Deb |
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June 14, 2007 at 11:49am |
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| What a great blog. Thanks for sharing. |
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Recon77,
Just watch out when folks say "my lips are sealed" because they may know sign language. LOL
Dave |
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| Praise God, for their boldness in a restaurant I know a lot of christians that won't way pray over there food any place. I love to sing of the God's language, but I never saw anyone praying in sign language. That is just awesome... |
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I had the privelege of experiencing that with you and I have to admit, this blog is awesome! I did notice you were touched by her intimate "language" with God and her sense of His Holiness... even in a restaurant!
Sometimes I wonder if we tend to "intitutionalize" our prayers to the point where we speak from habit and not heart.
Beautiful blog Lourdes....
Dr. W. |
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I plan to be a sign language interpreter when I finish school. I think it is the most beautiful language. I find it easier to pray in sign too |
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Sounds like this young lady took praying in tongues in hand! Kudos! I was in downtown Houston, a few blocks from the main library, eating in Wendy's after work when a single mother (I presume) entered with her 3 youngsters, all under 4. She ordered and made her way to a table just across the way, and laid out all the food on the table and prepared to eat (she looked early late teens early 20s). Then everyone stopped, interlaced their fingers in folded hands, bowed their heads, and blessed the food and those who prepared it. All the children joined in "Amen." I cried. |
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JAN |
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June 14, 2007 at 7:17pm |
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| Lourdes that was so touching Thank you for sharing. We pray, my husband and I at restaurants. Anytime we are out with friends we hold hands and pray. I see more and more families doing this. I think it would be very touching to see a prayer done in sign, the reverance of the silent moving of hands..awesome. |
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recon77, I guess you can call it praying in hands ;-)
Deb, I appreciate your words. Thank you for stopping by.
ChErYl; I hope one day you too can see a person praying in sign language, it is beautiful!
Gearshifte, Wow that is wonderful. Are you planning to use it also as a ministry?
Jonathan T; "It's incredible isn't it?" How God can use a teenage mother at a Wendy’s to touch your heart? God is awesome!!!
Jan; You said it right… the reverence of the silent moving of hands. It was so moving! |
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Dr Wilson
As always, thank you for your comment and your encouraging words ;-)
Lourdes |
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Sue |
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June 15, 2007 at 10:29pm |
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| Lourdes, You sure are good at this blogging thing! Keep up the good work :) |
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Sue, I am so new at the blogging thing! This is my second one. I enjoy writing comments in other people's blogs, but never venture in the blogging arena until recently. It is amazing how therapeutic it is. I think people have a very interesting way of looking at the same thing I am looking at and I love to learn from everyone. It also let me see how small my religious, theological world is. I've learn a lot from all of you.
Thank you. |
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Lourdes wrote: He does not want us to limit His power to a religious building, or a religious “persona.” He wants us to see Him for what He really is, and not for what we’ve made Him to be… We should not be surprised when He shows up!
That is such a great insight! If we are not careful, we will "create" God in our own image. I think God loves to surprise us daily in His creation. It so exciting to anticipate where and how He will show up next :). This is a wonderful blog!
Thanks for sharing |
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And Charlie, God's surprises always come with a lesson. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Amen!
Thank you. |
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I love that verse! It doesn't say He will guide with His rod, or hand..not even His voice..but His eye. Now that is intimate!
I remember the days when I could just look at my kids..not say a word and they would KNOW what I was wanting. What a wonderful thought about God in such a relationship with us! |
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| That is awesome, I loved reading this post. |
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| Thank you ccanuck. God bless! |
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Lourdes,
Great post. Great lessons throughout. Thanks. |
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Leara |
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June 17, 2007 at 12:52pm |
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| i learned the Lord's Prayer in sign language at school. |
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Leara |
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June 17, 2007 at 12:52pm |
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| it was cool. |
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Leara, that is great. I should make my goal to learn my favorite versr in sign language. Thank you.
vioce-N-DC, You,re right, I learned a great lesson that day. Thank You.
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WOW! i've never really thought about it. But, it makes you realize how small of a box you might put God into sometimes...Thank you so much! I am definately going to share this with one of my roomates...That is her calling, to minister through sign language. She's gonna love it!!!!!
This really blessed me! Thank You!. |
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You do not know how much having this experience touched me. My writing is limited to even explain how God ministered to me at that moment and how God has blessed me with all the beautifl comments in this blog. I hope it blesses your friend as well.
By the way, I visited your profile. You are a beautiful young lady. May God bless you and help you achieve everything you want to do for his glory.
Thank you again for your comment.
Lourdes |
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| Hasn't this blog been an eye opener? Simply awesome! God bless you all! Dave |
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By the way PastorDATM, I've being checking websites with sign language info and demonstrations. It has been such a great thing to do. Thank you for recommending it to me.
Lourdes |
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| And Lourdes, all of this would not have occurred had you not "blogged" in the first place! Thank you! Dave |
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Lourdes,
that was a great blog! Thank you for sharing that experience with us. I'm new to this too (this is only my 2nd comment to anyone's blog..I have no idea what to say in a blog myself) but I was really blessed by your blog.
I'm an interpreter (Spanish/English) and I do a lot of missions work and interpret/coordinate for teams from different churches going to do work in Mexico. What you said about us all sometimes having the incorrect attitude of "This is the way it is because this is how I was taught"
I have experienced God change my own and other attitudes so many times. I grew up in a traditional presbyterian church, then once I got saved the Lord moved us to a charisimatic church (big change), I grew up in rural North Carolina, and the Lord began to use me to minister in another language (Spanish) in a city of over 1 million people (Saltillo, Mexico). Lots and lots of changes :) I still get excited when I watch God break down strongholds within myself and others I am ministering with.
Dios te bendiga (God bless you)
Earl 'Rogelio' Rogers |
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WOW Rogelio, thank you for your comment.
My husband and I have the blessing of pastoring a 3 year old church in Maryland. The main language is English but my husband is constantly invited to preach in spanish speaking churches and is such a blessing to observe and enjoy how people from different backgrounds and cultures demonstrate their love for God. For me is like going back home to Puerto Rico ;-)
May God bless your ministry abundantly, y que Dios siempre te use con poder y gloria en Mejico.
Dios te guarde!
Lourdes |
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| Great blog entry. The Lord will show you the results of the blessings that he a for you via the seeds that he has planted. Keep praysing and worship him and you will continue to function in the spirit realm. |
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Amen!!! I receive it eckertman. Thank you so much for your words. It is my desire to function in His realm ;-)
Lourdes |
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Hi Lourdes,
In reading your blogs, I am touched by your love for God. I is obvious to me that your love and desire is to know Him and walk upright before Him, pleasing God in all that you do and say. Your blogs are edifying and vert encouraging. They also open our minds to a new way of serving our Lord in special ways.
Thank you Lourdes for sharing from your heart how the Lord has touched you with His goodness.
YBIC
--JR |
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Thank you JR Ambass... I am a vessel of clay in the making. Believe me, I've been crushed and made new many times in the hands of the potter. Yes, I love God with a passion, but never as much as He loves me and you ;-)
Thank you!!! |
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Hi Lourdes,
I was touched by the blog
Ragland |
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| Thank you ragland. God bless you! |
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| Sign is an amazing language.Did you know that 1% of the world population is deaf? The past 2 summers have been to Mexico working on a school for the deaf.It is such a blessing seeing those kids learn a language when before there was none.Can you imagine not knowing you have a name?They are learning about God& watching them sign in prayer,WOW!They must get frustrated tring to comunicate with the signless people of the world,but you'd never know it.I am sure they are blessed because they serve a God who knows all the signs. |
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| Wow 1%? I had no idea. I wonder how was your experience dealing with three languages: English, Spanish, and Sign language. Incredible the doors God opens for us!!! I think it is wonderful to experience God in different ways and I see God has opened your life to the wonders of communicating the message of God in so many languages. May God bless you and the awesome ministry he has put in your hands! Lourdes |
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| The entire experience is unfathomable.Wish I would have stayed up on my Spanish more.LOL.God is amazing the way He enables us to communicate.The first year we went to Mexico, I was amazed & still am in awe of our experience in a small Mexican church.We may have spoken different Languages,and I didn't understand all of what was being taught,but one thing impacted me immediately,these people loved God,they loved us because we are brothers& sisters in Christ,& we praised & worshipped the same God together in the same language ,the language of Gods love.No words needed.We were of the same spirit.I wish that all Christians could experience the body of Christ this way,especially if they are given into the temptaion to bash another denomination.Sorry,got carried away Lourdes. |
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I am with you 100% It was God who made us all be who we are. Some are white, some are black, or brown, or yellow; some speak English, some Spanish, others french, other sign language ;-) Even there are those who are Lutherans, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostals, Catholic, Charistmatics, or non-denominational. But the greatest thing about it, is that with God we are all one in Christ, and we all speak the same language... the language of love.
Thank you racunpoodl... |
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Lourdes,
I was truly blessed by your testimony. God is good. |
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| Thank you Pastor Tim. Your blogs are also very inspiring. |
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