UNINITIATED WORSHIPER
Into the basilica of Sacre Coeur we walk and galk, along with 1000 other tourists from every nation.  Indian Hindus, New York Jews, French Algerian Muslisms, and Parisian Agnostics all meander around the outskirts of the worship service in progress.  75 faithful sit, stand, and kneel in various positions of worship.  The priest waves his hand mysteriously over the elements communion while 8 nuns sing with fairy-like voices in the background.

"Come and worship me", I think I hear the Lord say. "But I don't know how to do this Lord!  This is so bizarre to me.  I don't speak the language.  It all seems like such pretentious grandeur.  Are you even here in the midst of this?"

"Come and worship me."

Moving away from the whispering tourists, I make my way into the midst of the Roman Catholic worship service.  I kneel.  I worship.  And in a way I can only describe as a "God moment", I feel the joy of united, congregational worship of King Jesus in a manner that supercedes language, culture, and liturgy.  I'm in the presence of the Lord together with other blood-washed saints, simply worshiping.

UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
My body still adjusting to the 9 hour time difference, I took a midnight walk my second night in Paris.   Even though it was a weeknight, there was still a bustling nightlife, with 30-40 people in the square of local cafes nearby, sipping burgundy and philosophizing like true Parisians.    I sat on a park bench and soaked in the scene.  That's when I saw Brian.

He was sorting through the leftover garbage bins, setting aside various treasures with a familiarity and ownership that said, "this is my turf now".    He sat down next to me and we talked for an hour.

Stereotype shattered.  Brian spoke English with no discernible accent.   And French, of course.   And Spanish, being from Barcelona.  And Russian, of which he was a teacher in his native Spain.  In addition to languages, Brian brightly conversed in philosophy, science, and religion.

Stereotype confirmed.  When the subject of family came up, Brian clammed up.  When the subject of God's love came up, Brian grew quiet.

"Can I pray for you Brian?"

"Oh...I'm not dressed to go inside a church."

"No, can we simply pray together right here in this park?"

And for the next few minutes Brian and I experienced the love of the Heavenly Father together right there in that park, and we were both reminded that we never have to live one moment of our lives apart from the knowledge that God loves us.


Where is Jesus in Paris, France?  The same place he is in Marysville, WA.  Wherever he is welcomed and worshiped.

"Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst"  Matthew 18:20