Alive for the Very First Time!

Yes I know that I have not posted for a very along time. I feel that an apology is in order. Here's my excuse... Summer. I don't reallt like the hot weather but a lot of "stuff"is happening and since school is out I am not constantly being reminded of students . Out of sight- out of mind. Sorry for acting that way. But now the students are everywhere. They are constantly on my mind because they are in my sight. I really don't like this about myself. I must "see" in order to invest. This is the major weakness of blogging in my opinion. I don't ever see you. So I am trying to invest ideas to a small group of people that I never really know. And so many of you are only distant bits of data. I prefer the "face-to-face" realm. I like the ideas of Jesus. You know the one about two or three gathered together in his name and He will be in their midst.
Two questions instantly flood my mind. They are instantly there but seem to insist on hanging around in my thoughts. I am driven to pursue the ideas of "In His Name" and "In their Midst". How do we gather "In His Name"? I believe the gathering of the saints to be vital to spiritual formation. No lasting spiritual development ever happens in isolation. I have benefited from an occasional retreat, but most of my real life growth has been hammered out in the context of the Body of Christ. I would like to hear what you think about "In His Name" This is often said at the end of prayers. I think I know why we say it, but what does it mean? And the daunting task of gathering in his name seems to lie before us. Can we gather with out Him? Can we gather in our own names? What happens when we gather in his name?
Next question: What does Jesus being in our midst mean? How does he do this? What should we do when he shows up? Should I dance? Weep? Fall to my knees? Stand in Awe? Embrace? Just be normal or never be the same? Sounds like our choruses doesn't it?
Yes it does. The music of the praise generation reflects this longing for celebration and the longing for Christ-himself, in our midst. I long for it. I have tasted it. I desire it for others.
I want to encourage you to find two or three people and gather your selves together and share some life with Jesus in youe midst. Don't settle for a substitute. The reality of Christ in our midst causes us to know that we are truly ALIVE in Christ! Yes even as if we are alive for the very first time!