The Revivalist

I found this in my email today.

A deep and genuine concern for other people will remind us that the discovery of truth is not to be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless all can claim a share in that victory, truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be regarded as inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like might yield to a genuine united search for God’s truth and how it can best be served.

It is attributed to Irenaeus, one of the very early bishops (100 AD) of the christian community.  I like his way of reminding us that is spreading the word of the Lord we are not to seek Victory for ourselves nor to defeat others.  Rather he reminds us that God’s truth is a victory for everyone who hears it.  Thus can we join together and seek His loving wisdom freely for His wisdom calls each of us to witness Him.

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The Charleston Gazette featured a story about the Southern Baptist Convention held in Loiusville Ky.    The article stated that Southern Baptists had not kept up with the growth spurt among the blacks and Latinos and predicted numerous church closings in the future due to this and an aging population.

Of course the statement was made that they had to join their brothers and sisters of ethnicity.  But, the phrase in the entire article that jumped out at me was  the statement made by Rev. Johnny Hunt from Woodstock, GA., a mega-church pastor.

The reason this tickles me is it is rare to hear a megachurch pastor say this.  It is my opinion, and remember this is just my opinion, it is rare to hear a megachurch pastor say much of anything acutally.  But, he said:

“I really do believe we need a revival.”

And I smile.

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NIV Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

This text has become very much alive to me in recent weeks as the Spirit continues to teach me to pray. so many times my flesh would simply like to quit and (yes Ross) just like Paul I find myself failing to do what is really in heart to do, but this text is something we can hold the Father to. No I am not being presumptuous, but God has promised to do this, that is to move me to follow. When everything within me wants to go the other way I remind the Father that He has promised to put His Spirit in me and to “move” me to follow His word, and even to be meticulous about doing so, thus I pray Father “Move me,” because you have said that You would do so. He can’t get glory out of this life without I yield to His Spirit and this is His desire, so let’s hold Him to His word. God can indeed and will move us, but let us remind Him of His word and pray that it be made so very evident in our lives.

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I went to confession today; Father Paul was my confessor. He reminded me of the writings of Paul; wanting to do the things he should not do and not wanting to do the things he should.

That was so comforting; that is often exactly how I feel. I love Jesus but I still don’t always want to do what I know in my heart He would have me do.

Please add a special prayer of thanks this weekend for Father Paul; this weekend is the 50th anniversary of his ordination!

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Thanks to Marti for the email reminding me to post!

I have been praying and listening to His voice in alot of different formats lately. Small prayer guides, bible study, EWTN Radio, music, and each seems to touch me uniquely.

Father Copai (EWTN) is constantly reminding me of the fundamentals of faith and the penalties that await those who fail to find the path to Jesus Christ. I struggle every day to stay faithful to His path; their is no valid excuse for this beyond being weak and human but the truth is that I sometimes fail Him.

I pray all the time for His forgiveness. He died for my sins. I wish I could be a better disciple; it just doesn’t always seem to be in me.

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Visited with a friend this evening. Got to sit on her patio and hold her hand and reflect upon our lives together,  as she has been a part of my tapestry for as long as I can remember.  I don’t ever have known her NOT being there.

You see Opal is 90 some years old.  This evening she was all Fire and Opal and I was warmed by the embers.

I related a memory I had about a hummingbird.  Her hummingbird feeder was busy.  That and the setting sun brought this story to my mind.

It was one of those hot, humid and dry summers.  Very little rain had been falling and the temps climbed high late in the spring and stayed there. 

One evening one of those soft gentle rains surprised everyone including the hummingbirds.  They were rejoicing in the shower, flying back and forth, playing  chase and making the usual hummingbird noises and creating the usual ruckus….with the exception of one little bird.

This one little bird was perched on a TV cable line running between the two neighboring houses.  He was sitting there with his tail feathers spread wide.  And his wings outstretched on each side of him.  And he was gently swaying, as if dancing and moving about as so not to miss a drop of that precious rain falling from the sky.

I told Opal that I too wanted to learn to dance in the rain, and not miss any drop that rained down from heaven above.  She was in complete agreement and in a short time her mind wondered off to that far away place that no one seems to know but her.

But, you see.  I caught a certain look in her eye this evening. I know in my heart she is off to herself enjoying each and every drop of rain.

I Love you ole’ girl and we will be having even better times in Glory that we did here.  All Spaghetti and Chocolate.

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I miss the comforting “voices”.   The ones that lifted me up by telling of their love for Christ. 

The voices crying in the wilderness.

This isn’t like my “comfortable chair” and I stubbed my toe kinda comfortable.  This is something that aches in my very being.

Come home.  My heart aches.

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If it all ended for me this morning.  If I were to leave all of you behind.  I would be leaving a lot of things unfinished.

Conversations unfinished.  Deeds unfinished.  Works in progress left hanging.  Hugs not given.  Iloveyoumore’s not spoken.  Appointments not kept.  You get the idea.  In the back of my mind, I think I have forever and I get lazy.

Jesus left nothing undone.

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I was blessed today to be able to spend time in the garden.  Weeding and pruning.  Working along side my brother and sister, which is always a blessing.

But early this morning, it was just me and Abba.   And the song :

“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.  And the voice I hear falling on my ear The song of God discloses.  And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.  And the joy we share as we tarry there,  none other has ever known.  He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing. And the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.  And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.  And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known”

…..and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths…..Isaiah 2:3

Get prepared or get ready.  Whatever that may mean for you as an individual, and as a family and as a church family.  Seek His face and get ready. 

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