Websters dictionary says the meaning of the word revival is, restoration of life or restoration of use. And the more I think about it, our revival here at the church this week was a real eye opening experience for me. One of the things that I have noticed about ministry is many times its hard to get fed. Before I was a full time staff member it seemed liked it was so much easier to be fed spiritually. I wish I had a great explanation for that but I don’t. Many times it seems like with all the stuff going on at the church, or maybe with small things that rub me the wrong way I get easily distracted and my personal walk gets pushed aside a little.
This week a man by the name of Don Phillips came and spoke at our church and in many ways I think God used him to hit me in face a little. Don’s preaching style wasn’t something I was used to. He used examples from hunting and fishing, things that I know nothing about. And if someone would describe his style of preaching to me before I probably would not have been real interested to be honest. But after his first message I was hooked. The thing that I think I took most away from Don was his straight forward way of presenting the gospel. I think so many times we’re scared to say certain things in a church. Its almost like we’re afraid to mention the word hell because it might make people uncomfortable. The only reason I say all that is to say that Don really stomped on my toes this week. Some of the things he said at first made me uncomfortable but when I thought about it they should make me uncomfortable. I think in many ways I get to comfortable in my faith. I know where I stand with God, I know when I die I’ll be going to heaven but I think many times I don’t have the passionate burn to get others to have the same assurance of their salvation. I recently read a book called the Barbarian Way. The author describes how many times we lack the fire and the urgency we need to spreading the gospel of Jesus to other. By lacking that fire we in turn take the fire out of others who don’t want to come across as overly religious. I think the reading of the book and this revival were God’s way of smacking me in the face and asking…..Where’s your fire? I like the way Webster defines revival, a restoration of life or a restoration to use. That really sums up the last week for me!
Peace & Love,
The White-man
