Reading Catherine Booth (co-founder of The Salvation Army), I came across these words:

–“I suppose most of you believe in evil spirits who have access to the human mind. I wish, if you do not, you could have some of the experiences of The Salvation Army; I think you would then.”
–If evil spirits are tormenting you, they can be overcome and defeated though the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. “And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.” Mark 1:39

Catherine Booth confirms the participatory church concept that people hearing directly from the living God is more important than people hearing sermons! (Amen! Catherine!)
“The main idea of much of the preaching of this day seems to be that of teaching people–instructing them–which too often results in the hardening of their hearts . . . I have felt like saying to the minister, ‘My brother, if you have nothing better than this to offer, let us have a prayer meeting and get something direct from the great Father Himself, without your intervention.'”

When people allow God to publicly move them in their heart, spirit, and emotions, power breaks out! When they talk religion from their mind, not much happens.
–Catherine Booth puts it this way:
“A Baptist minister has been so stirred up and awakened that, on a recent occasion when he had to read his text (a Bible passage), he broke down weeping, which had more effect than all the sermons he had preached during the years he had been in that town. His people wept too, and many of them got converted. I wish that a few thousands of ministers could be brought to a similar state of mind before Sunday; what commotion there would be in the land!”
–Lord, let that happen right here in Nashville, Tennessee!!!

(Come visit us at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207 on Sunday mornings at 10:45.)