Spread Betting

An "Unusual" Perspective: The Hand of God

Date 3/6/1997 12:00 AM | Topic: Opinion

Lest anyone think I'm just someone who has nothing better to do than gripe about things that are wrong with Luther, something very big and right with Luther is more than worth the column space this week.



If any of you went to Focus, the new prayer and praise service , you 're hopefully nodding your head and saying, "Speak it, brother!" For those that don't know why Focus started, how it started, and how it moved those that attended, it goes like this.



It started out as a dream in the minds of a few folks. A strong desire existed for a service that would just plain rock. I don't know many of the details, but hopefully either a news article is hiding somewhere else in this paper or someone will feel moved to write a letter sharing the details next week. The important thing to know: the dream came true.



People started planning for music, drama, prayer teams, getting speakers to come here, everything. It came together in the most uplifting and spiritually moving way on Sunday. So much so that I don't know much of anything that could have gone better.



The band is awesome -- the members are all blessed with a great gift for music, and man, I thought my hands and voice would go numb from clapping and singing (of course, I didn't care). The drama inspired people to think about the state of their own spiritual lives. The speaker, Chad, a college senior, had everyone rolling in laughter and listening intently to the spiritual lesson he had to share about how we need "Focus" in our lives. (He intended the pun!)



So I think it's important that everyone who had a part in planning Focus be thanked for their dedication in making sure the dream turned into a reality. After the service, I could tell that it powerfully affected people.



And here's where I think it's important to put this in context:



This year seems to be a crucial turning point in Luther's spiritual identity. A friend of mine who graduated from Luther last year was down for the weekend, and without any inquiring on my part, she said that she could tell the difference in Luther's environment.



I agree with her -- I don't think it's important to place a label on what exactly that changing climate is. But there are undeniable facts. We have a new president, who in my opinion, is very dedicated to keeping Luther 's spirituality alive and kicking. A 24 hour prayer chain is starting (those of you that are curious about this and haven't heard anything about it, call or e-mail me).



And we have Focus, with the pun very much intended. Anybody who wants to try a different type of worship than the church service you normally attend or anybody who is curious about what Focus is all about, it 'll be Sunday at 10 p.m. in the CRH. It's an experience the hand of God blessed the first time that Luther had (not wanting to carry this pun to its deathbed...) "Focus."



With prayer and dedicated hearts, it won't be the last.

--

Doug Carlson
Chips Staff Writer

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