Decision time: Sooner glory vs. more of the Holy Spirit

Not Sooner forgotten ...

     My eyes were opened to God's awesome power as a brand new Christian when my teenage son arrived late to his youth group meeting the night parts were assigned for the Sunday evening service performed by the kids. One task remained -- the sermon -- and it fell to him. 

Our son preached without a stutter!

     My wife and I were alarmed! You see, our son Cory had a severe stutter, and we feared him having to give up in fuh-fuh-fuh-fustration. We put him on all prayer lists, and held our breath as well as our hands as he took the pulpit. 

     Miraculously, Cory didn't stutter on his first sentence. Nor on his second. Then he amazingly set his notes aside and spoke flawlessly from his heart. It turned out to be a tremendous message, leading some to tears.

     With jaws dropped in dismay, my wife and I looked at each other and whispered, "What just happened?" From the pew behind us a friend provided the answer: "That's the power of the Holy Spirit!"

Dr. Glenn Sheppard

     Stunned, I had to know more about this miracle-working Spirit. And as God would have it, I didn't have long to wait. Our pastor at the little Albuquerque-area church, Rev. Dave McConkey, talked the great Dr. Glen Sheppard into conducting a revival that just happened to focus on the Holy Spirit.

     This set up a "crisis of belief" for this die-hard Sooner. You see, the year was 1988 and Oklahoma had dominated the Big 8 in football going 10-0 while ranked No. 1 to go to the Orange Bowl. And now the Sooners were romping in March madness, seeking basketball's NCAA crown. It's the dream of most OU football fans to also see the Sooners do as well on the hardwoods.

OU played for the NCAA title the night the Holy Spirit revival concluded

     But Dr. Sheppard's series just happened to conclude the same night OU's cagers played Kansas for all the marbles.

     Which opportunity would I honor? What would I decide?

     Maybe having a DVR helped by recording the game while at the revival, but I chose to hear the concluding message on the Holy Spirit. 

     I cannot now remember what all Dr. Sheppard said during that revival, but it was something similar to what he publicly proclaimed during 2016's National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C.

Similar to Dr Sheppard's prayer

     "Lord, we seldom hear the word of God with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We have been a rebellious lot. We've shaken our fists in the face of Your gracious mercy. We've rewritten Your Law to adapt to our standards of society. We've chosen political correctness over biblical authority. We've murdered the unborn. We've redefined what You have called a family and a marriage. Lord, be merciful, please. We're a people who have chosen to listen to everything except 'Thus saith the Lord.'"

     And you'll agree America isn't doing any better these days.

     Well, Oklahoma lost that title game, but I wondrously won spiritually that night! Since being inspired by that revival, I've enjoyed the Holy Spirit's guidance as one of those crazy Christians who hears the Voice of Almighty God through the power of His Spirit, which amazingly guides my steps as much as I will understand and let Him.

     And I'm pretty sure you can hear Him, too. We often have not because we ask not. So just prayerfully ask:

     Lord, I don't hear your voice, and I want to know more of the Holy Spirit's blessings. If it be Your will, please inspire me in how to know Your good and perfect will through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

     (Psst: if you'd like my help, please let me know.)