Uncategorized

I’ve been thinking about revival for more than half a century.

This relates particularly to Christian / Church revival.  The word itself implies that life is returned to an object that has either withered or died. 

Revival should see two things.  An initial point of breath.  And a continued path of obedience.

Over the years I’ve been a part of, or followed closely, a number of revivals.  Remnants of some revivals have shrivelled over three or four decades.  Others faced a soon death.  And others have seen the need for a revival of the revival.

For revival to happen, breath has to return.  Calling out to God, being ready for conviction, cleansing and healing all lead to the return of that initial breath.  In other words – call God and don’t hang up.

Then there’s the second part of revival.  Once breath returns, we start to think the next breath is of our own making.  We open ourselves up to choking on our own pride and hubris.  Asphyxiation looms on the horizon unless we call out to God once more, and don’t hang up!

Perhaps revival is that constant breathing in and breathing out.  Inhale Jesus, exhale the bad.  REPEAT.

In my youth, I labelled myself as an organizer and forward thinker.  That lent to jobs of administration and oversight.  Run by the rules and live into the future.

Today I sensed.  This is not an unusual thing, and has become more of my life style.  I consider and contemplate. 

The combination of the two styles within my life is a good balance.  Most often one prompts the other.  Reading and researching kick me towards possibility.  Silence and sitting kick me towards revelation.

Hear me well.  I am not an unprincipled possibility thinker.  Nor am I an ungrounded prophet.

Today the sitting was primary, the silence informed by music, and the insight tinged with Isaiah 64.

My heart cry today? 

God of the universe, revealed in Jesus, COME DOWN – be manifest in our world.  Hear us, Heal us, Convict us, Cleanse us.  Turn our world up side right.

What a joy!

Time spent with a new friend.  We toured his yard and shop.  Drank “coffee” and chatted about the revolution in life when a full commitment is made to Jesus.  Since April this new brother-in-Christ has sold out to Jesus.  When  you hear the words and watch the actions, you know something is different.

And that’s a new kind of life from what he was living.

Well worth the change, and I’m looking forward to continued changes.  The long road of obedience starts at one point and the road stretches out in front of us.  One step at a time with your eyes on the future – your eyes on the maker – your eyes on Jesus.

A friend of mine, Herman Ruff, had written in his Bible this quote:

“Becoming Christlike involves” – a little horse-sense – we need to be stable-minded and able to say “Nay”.