Uncategorized

Information overload (TMI – too much information!) is a growing area of concern.  Quality of decisions are lessened.  The ability to process all the information creates great stress and anxiety.

And that is before our heart feels the stabs of rejection, loss of loved ones and the wearing down of courage in the light of overwhelming waves of opposition.

I’m working on a philosophy of revelation.  Revelation, in my approach, is the distillation of situations that are made clear in a manner that can admit wide bands of research while providing a clarity that cuts through the fog of myriad opinions.  The revelation can also come at the initial beginning of the process, before additional information is added.

The revelation is the final conclusion.  Revelation allows for the dismissal of all kinds of riff raff, argy bargy, and many other colloquial terms.  With revelation comes content-fullness.  A sense that any further exploration of the topic will only renew the original conclusion found through revelation.

In an evidence based world, revelation clearly fulfils the evidence (in one sense trumps the evidence).  This is not just algorithms and AI projecting.  While perhaps coming to the same conclusion as algorithms and AI, the revelation is a connection that goes beyond ciphers and interpretations.  A true revelation is true.

Allowing for revelation is at odds with our current world system.  And just to be clear – makes a Christian system anathema to a system that is being expounded by many today.

Which begs the questions – How do you know revelation is true?  Does revelation depend on a faithful witness over time? 

Questions for another day.

The end should decide the beginning – This is a revelational model of living.

Or, the journey is an endless set of beginnings with no end.  This is an existential model of living.

I tend to think that I would like to know what comes last so I can choose where to begin.

Awake, my soul!

A great heart cry from centuries past.  In our current context, maybe even more so!

In a “woke” generation, we can excitedly stand up and point our opening eyes towards God.  Not victimhood, or oppression, or even corrupt power.

The reflection from God’s eyes will push us towards seeking correction, reparations and restoration.  But look into the eyes of love first before you fire any volleys of wrath and revenge.  Find in those eyes that revenge is God’s to choose and execute, that anger is against ungodliness, and that the path to God’s peace is found through Jesus. 

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.