tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post514199520825230554..comments2023-11-08T22:57:40.237-05:00Comments on OUT OF THE BOX: God's Presence or Just Routine?Billy Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-58943830248443677362010-02-06T19:42:17.110-05:002010-02-06T19:42:17.110-05:00[The following comment was emailed to me by Joyce ...[The following comment was emailed to me by Joyce Morgan, a friend in NC].--BL<br /><br /><br />I could not figure out how to post these comments, so in this email, here they are.<br /> <br />Your blog about wanting the presence of God really strikes a chord in my heart. Your blogs are so down-to-earth and edifying. <br /> <br />I find myself praying for the kind of HUNGER for God's intimate presence that puts a demand on God to show up. Many years ago, the Holy Spirit gave me an interpretation of a song I was singing in tongues (when I asked Him for it). Here are the words: <br /> <br />I am satisfied with Thee<br />But I want more and more <br />I want cisterns dug in me <br />To hold abundant store<br /> <br />Others coming thirstily<br />To dip their cups within<br />Tasting that the Lord is good<br />Will come and drink again. <br /> <br /> <br />This perfectly expresses my heart, and the reason I need MORE. There's a world out there dying for the water of life. Come, Lord Jesus!<br /> <br />JoyceBilly Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-85745393411459141322010-02-01T20:46:55.142-05:002010-02-01T20:46:55.142-05:00[An email response from a friend, Don Smith, in My...[An email response from a friend, Don Smith, in Myrtle Beach, SC]-<br />-BL<br /><br /><br />Billy, your post reminds me of my teenage years attending a small Baptist church in a town that everyone knew everyone.<br /><br />The music director of the church, his wife the pianist, noticed the preacher's daughter, a married young lady, had returned to the church that weekend to visit. His said that she had been asking him to sing a song for several years and he had put it off many times, but felt that he had better do it today...the Lord was telling him he may not get another chance to do it. ( I had never heard this man sing a solo and was mildly shocked he would sing alone due to the whole of the choir voice mostly sounding close to a joyful noise as they sang)<br /><br />I do not remember the song, I remember he sounded beautiful....very melodic...and I remember as he loudly closed the hymnal he fell dead upon the floor. I remember looking at his wife... and she was relatively calm as one one person, a medical person in the church body came to work on him and one person leaving to call the rescue squad. The body of the church began to pray for him and some were crying very softly.<br /><br />He did not survive, but it left an impression on me...and others. <br /><br />I enjoy your postings and get something from each of them. Continue to feed us, Billy.Billy Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-84453827857697620672010-02-01T20:31:18.290-05:002010-02-01T20:31:18.290-05:00[A comment from Brunswick, Ga]- BL
Hi Billy:
I be...[A comment from Brunswick, Ga]- BL<br /><br />Hi Billy:<br />I believe that if we Christians would get serious with God, He would turn the world upside down. We could be feasting on the meat of His word instead of being content to drink milk. But most Christians as content to be status quo. Sad! <br />Dwayne GibsonBilly Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-74298605421184474212010-02-01T20:29:39.353-05:002010-02-01T20:29:39.353-05:00[Inserted here is an email response I received fro...[Inserted here is an email response I received from a good friend in the Charlotte area]<br />-Billy<br /><br /><br />Billy: <br /> That was a very inspiring story about God leading you when you were 16 years old. Having known you for 10 or 12 years now, I know that He is still leading you to know and do His will. You have always been one of the best joke/story tellers I have ever known. But it has also been obvious to many of us at Myrtle Beach that you have a very deep Spiritual Gifting that goes beyond what you may even be unaware of. I don't know the details of you current life, but I know from experience that when we have "the call of God" on our lives, we can never be fully satisfied until we are fulfilling that calling. I am neither a prophet, nor a son of a prophet, so this is just the heart of a friend praying that, IF God is speaking to you at this time about changes He wants you to make, you will hear with the heart of that 16 year old boy and let NOTHING stand in your and G! od's way. Naturally, if I am totally off, just know that this attempt came out of a heart of love for you and Laurel. God Bless you and your family. <br />Jim ShockBilly Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-76058986501771271402010-02-01T17:37:16.246-05:002010-02-01T17:37:16.246-05:00Amen, Billy. I think you hit the nail on the head....Amen, Billy. I think you hit the nail on the head. Love to both of you...DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-41895717622469588002010-02-01T11:54:35.548-05:002010-02-01T11:54:35.548-05:00[I am inserting here a comment I received by email...[I am inserting here a comment I received by email from a friend in Durham].--BL<br /><br />"Thanks Billy, I read your blog all the time...It's like water to a drowning man!! I'm being silly, but in a way it's true, just because you are surrounded by water, it doesn't mean your not thirsty. There are churches everywhere, Christians everywhere, yet I find there are few that know the heart of God, or want to get that close. So I treasure someone who wants to know!"<br />Susan JBilly Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-26039708696007904662010-01-31T23:38:03.686-05:002010-01-31T23:38:03.686-05:00Billy,
As many have said in movies and more, "...Billy,<br />As many have said in movies and more, "thanks, I needed that!" Very timely and much appreciated!<br />BethBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01413006917542076904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-49925233125940696592010-01-31T21:56:25.353-05:002010-01-31T21:56:25.353-05:00[I am inserting here an email I received from Kirk...[I am inserting here an email I received from Kirk Dearman. Kirk, by the way, is the one who wrote the praise song "We Bring A Sacrifice of Praise."] --BL <br /><br />Billy-boy!<br /> Just read your blog posting for today. Excellent!!<br /> I remember feeling the same frustration in church "revival" meetings as a teen. I would think, "What if Jesus were to suddenly physically appear and walk down the aisle? Would it make any difference in how these people are responding? Or would they fall down on their faces in deep reverence and awe and worship Him?"<br /><br />A.W. Tozer - my favorite "old school" author - says that the number one critical need of the Church in this hour is the conscious and manifest presence of God in our midst. It would definitely change the way we "do" church . . . and our so-called "revival" meetings!<br /><br />Just wanted you to know I appreciate your blog ministry. You've got a great thing goin' on there. Don't stop! It's ministering to me, my friend!<br /><br />Much love to you and Laurel,<br />KirkBilly Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-90864418186109551912010-01-31T21:35:14.040-05:002010-01-31T21:35:14.040-05:00Thank you, Uncle Billy (can I still call you that?...Thank you, Uncle Billy (can I still call you that?). I have seen more and more that my generation is done "playing" church and we are done with "religion." Other than you, it has been hard for me to find a pastor who is for real. I finally have, but have to drive 45 minutes to church! Sometimes it feels like spiritual boot camp, but it is worth it.A. Gu3https://www.blogger.com/profile/13622679520466676603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-43152281431779402582010-01-31T21:25:41.464-05:002010-01-31T21:25:41.464-05:00Yes, I remember this also as if it happened yester...Yes, I remember this also as if it happened yesterday. EvaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-553241618697908552010-01-31T20:17:00.773-05:002010-01-31T20:17:00.773-05:00Timely, Billy, timely! Thanks!Timely, Billy, timely! Thanks!steve Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09636663818169138997noreply@blogger.com