For a few years in college i really thought i sensed it somehow, sometimes i feel i still do. When i sit down and read the Bible, read books and look at the news it just seems like such a real possibility: A last and final great revival. In my undergrad i did a paper on the two great awakening, focusing on America and the main evangelist starting with Jonathan Edwards and ending with Billy Graham. So many people were affected by these men, but men like Johnathon Edward had no attractive personalities - it was merely the work of God and the Holy Spirit. Jonathan Edwards was a man who preferred books to people and his speaking/preaching style was monotone and his sermons were read right from the paper he has written on. Yet, God used Edwards to begin something new, something that was already beginning to take place over the previous 100 years. Yes, God was working in the communities and in the heart of the leaders almost 100 years before the Great Awakening first happened.
I believe that the world is in place for another great awakening, unlike any great awakening before. The evidence of this can be found in the ideas of many church leaders and lay-people to return to a more traditional view of Christian's, however, this tradition is not shaped by Constantine and the Catholic Church in the 2nd Century. No, this tradition is found about 300 years prior, it is found in the example of the Gospels and the book of Acts. It is the example set by the disciples of Christ and the first missionaries and their churches in Acts. These were communities built around Christ and the use of talents and abilities given by God. There was not a hierarchy in leadership but a community, each person respected and appreciate for their place in the church. The people themselves would stand up and preach about God and what he had been doing in their lives, the disciples and missionaries being the mediators who would cut down any false doctrines that might arise during these times.
We lack this community but it seems to be returning. We, as the church, are finding that the truth is not only found in the preacher, not only found in the leaders and ministers who are paid but also truth is found in the life of those lay-persons in the church, those members who live a life to glorify God. These people are as much witnesses to the things of God as the pastors who preach to them every Sunday and/or Wednesday. The emphasis today on both evangelism and discipleship are obvious, the need for community and relationships by the current generations can be seen, the real threat of evil and terror, and the technology of the Internet and worldwide community provide both a means and audience for the next revival.
Will this happen? Is it possible? Is this a vision from God? I do not know. I want to believe that it is possible though it seems unlikely to me sometimes. I want to believe that there will be one last and great revival before Christ comes and takes his people into his arms. Are we willing to pray for it? Are we willing to obey, serve and sacrifice for such a time, for such an opportunity?
- Daniel
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Trust, Faith, & Being Kept in Christ
Trusting and having Faith begins with closed eyes, by letting go and falling backward...
What does it mean to trust God? What does it mean to have faith? What do these mean before victory is found, before the answer is given? If we knew our life, the things to do, the places to go, jobs to take, how we will meet our mate - then surely we would be obeying God, but would we have faith? would we trust God?
To trust or have faith is God is to be in an uncertain situation, and in this place we are met with the tension to obey and at the same time - to trust and have faith.
It would be easy, for example to have two people facing each other - one is to fall and the other is to catch them; however, the dynamics change entirely when one has their back to the one who is catching. The one being caught cannot see and therefore must have faith and trust when they fall backward that the other person will catch them.
In a much larger scale it seems life is the same. We, as Christians, are called to have faith and trust, only by letting go can we feel the satisfaction of God catching us, holding us, and keeping us safe.
The the question of when do I fall begins? We fall every day.
What do we fall too or towards? We fall from self and towards God.
So, then, in situations where we are concerned about God's will, purpose, or way - we need only to ask if we are falling from self and to God. Will what I am doing bring glory to God? Will what I am doing bring glory to my self?
To those who are being KEPT in Christ,
To those who have been called,
who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1),
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25).
~ Daniel
What does it mean to trust God? What does it mean to have faith? What do these mean before victory is found, before the answer is given? If we knew our life, the things to do, the places to go, jobs to take, how we will meet our mate - then surely we would be obeying God, but would we have faith? would we trust God?
To trust or have faith is God is to be in an uncertain situation, and in this place we are met with the tension to obey and at the same time - to trust and have faith.
It would be easy, for example to have two people facing each other - one is to fall and the other is to catch them; however, the dynamics change entirely when one has their back to the one who is catching. The one being caught cannot see and therefore must have faith and trust when they fall backward that the other person will catch them.
In a much larger scale it seems life is the same. We, as Christians, are called to have faith and trust, only by letting go can we feel the satisfaction of God catching us, holding us, and keeping us safe.
The the question of when do I fall begins? We fall every day.
What do we fall too or towards? We fall from self and towards God.
So, then, in situations where we are concerned about God's will, purpose, or way - we need only to ask if we are falling from self and to God. Will what I am doing bring glory to God? Will what I am doing bring glory to my self?
To those who are being KEPT in Christ,
To those who have been called,
who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1),
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25).
~ Daniel
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Interview @ Java City
I had a meeting or interview with a pastor this morning at Java City. The church is in Abilene and not far away. They are trying to build up both their youth and children's ministry and the pastor has done many things. He is a Bi-Vocational Pastor since he took over his parents business in town, so he works at the church part-time. He has gone from being a music minister to a youth minister to a pastor now. There are only about three or four youth right now because the other half graduated last may, the church is primarily traditional or hymn worship but the pastor and new music minister are trying to put in some praise music. The pastor and church also have a passion for prayer and missions, both which i feel are important and i am in need of these to help me own growth and ministry. The pay isn't great and i will probably look for another job besides this one, though this will have prominence over any other job i have or will have.
But i am getting ahead of myself i guess... this was only step one in the process. Step two is either meeting with the deacons or going for a visit and then meeting the deacons later. I discussed going to the conference at the church next tuesday, so i can get a feel for the people and see the church. It felt more of a discussion and getting to know than a interview. im glad i got to know this man as well... he is nice and seem to have both a sense of responsibility and humor, not unlike myself. He asked about situations with youth, females in particular - to which I said I would like to have a lady or woman in the church for such situations - and with guys or girls it would not be good to be alone but if possible meet at a certain public place. I was asked about the inerrancy of scriptures and answered that is inerrant, yet i to claim aspects of infallibility - such as God using the culture, strengths and weaknesses of the authors to get his point and purpose across. The asked which translation I adhere too - i said the NIV and NASB, for practical and grammatical reasons. I said that no one speaks in King James and so it lacks helping people make the connection to God, I would rather change translations than split a person from God cause they cant understand his word. He asked if I thought I could to the administrative work - I said yes but I would need help. He then asked if I was involved in the BGCT and SBT split/disagreements, which I said no to but then explained and commented that I know there are some issues; however, I think the church, evangelism, and discipleship should be primary over and bickering.
So, I guess thats about it. it was a really good interview. I really think I could help them and they could help me grow as well as a minister and in my own personal walk with Christ. I'm really trying to be optimistic, I despise my pessimistic side - it depresses me so many times.
- Daniel
But i am getting ahead of myself i guess... this was only step one in the process. Step two is either meeting with the deacons or going for a visit and then meeting the deacons later. I discussed going to the conference at the church next tuesday, so i can get a feel for the people and see the church. It felt more of a discussion and getting to know than a interview. im glad i got to know this man as well... he is nice and seem to have both a sense of responsibility and humor, not unlike myself. He asked about situations with youth, females in particular - to which I said I would like to have a lady or woman in the church for such situations - and with guys or girls it would not be good to be alone but if possible meet at a certain public place. I was asked about the inerrancy of scriptures and answered that is inerrant, yet i to claim aspects of infallibility - such as God using the culture, strengths and weaknesses of the authors to get his point and purpose across. The asked which translation I adhere too - i said the NIV and NASB, for practical and grammatical reasons. I said that no one speaks in King James and so it lacks helping people make the connection to God, I would rather change translations than split a person from God cause they cant understand his word. He asked if I thought I could to the administrative work - I said yes but I would need help. He then asked if I was involved in the BGCT and SBT split/disagreements, which I said no to but then explained and commented that I know there are some issues; however, I think the church, evangelism, and discipleship should be primary over and bickering.
So, I guess thats about it. it was a really good interview. I really think I could help them and they could help me grow as well as a minister and in my own personal walk with Christ. I'm really trying to be optimistic, I despise my pessimistic side - it depresses me so many times.
- Daniel
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
I Am Tired of This
I don't know what it is... but i am tired of it, of this feeling inside that I'm not doing all I can, that I am supposed to be doing something else. I have no idea what I am supposed to do: Fast? Pray? Read my Bible? Try to make new friends? Find a ministry job? A secular job? volunteer? Read more books and concentrate on my studies? Get a new hobby?
I have just found myself sorta confused and yes, somewhat depressed. I try to make friends here but everyone has their own life.
I have also been lacking a lot in my own personal walk lately. I actually think God is beginning to break me, but its not as if I have been reading my bible or praying more. I just have a general feeling of uneasiness. I actually got up the other day and just starred at my dorm room and felt like I wanted to cry. Why? I have no idea. loneliness? Feeling a lack of purpose and vision? I don't know. And I don't feel like crying often, usually it is when God shakes my life by obstacles, confronting me with my own self and sin, or if someone dies. Those who know me know i'm not too very emotional. When something is not funny, serious or causing me to cry I usually just have blank look on my face. Its my I don't feel anything so this is my face face...
So, I am on the edge toward my 23rd year of life, looking over the cliff and wondering if I have used this year for the good of God or for my own selfishness. Sometimes it seems about 50/50 or so I guess. I want to be part of something great for God and yet find myself perhaps falling behind. But what do I do to move forward? I do not know. I need to be in more prayer, in more communication with my Father; as well, I need to be initiated more in the reading of my Father word, the scriptures that bring life to me, to my heart and life I have been neglecting. You can have some pastor, teacher, professor or witty Christian tell you that reading the Bible daily isn't necessary, but I believe it is - I believe it is as necessary as prayer and yet I've neglected both. What way can God speak to me if I block of these ways?
May God have mercy on us when we neglect him,
when we neglect his word and our glorious conversations listening to Him in prayer
~ Daniel
I have just found myself sorta confused and yes, somewhat depressed. I try to make friends here but everyone has their own life.
I have also been lacking a lot in my own personal walk lately. I actually think God is beginning to break me, but its not as if I have been reading my bible or praying more. I just have a general feeling of uneasiness. I actually got up the other day and just starred at my dorm room and felt like I wanted to cry. Why? I have no idea. loneliness? Feeling a lack of purpose and vision? I don't know. And I don't feel like crying often, usually it is when God shakes my life by obstacles, confronting me with my own self and sin, or if someone dies. Those who know me know i'm not too very emotional. When something is not funny, serious or causing me to cry I usually just have blank look on my face. Its my I don't feel anything so this is my face face...
So, I am on the edge toward my 23rd year of life, looking over the cliff and wondering if I have used this year for the good of God or for my own selfishness. Sometimes it seems about 50/50 or so I guess. I want to be part of something great for God and yet find myself perhaps falling behind. But what do I do to move forward? I do not know. I need to be in more prayer, in more communication with my Father; as well, I need to be initiated more in the reading of my Father word, the scriptures that bring life to me, to my heart and life I have been neglecting. You can have some pastor, teacher, professor or witty Christian tell you that reading the Bible daily isn't necessary, but I believe it is - I believe it is as necessary as prayer and yet I've neglected both. What way can God speak to me if I block of these ways?
May God have mercy on us when we neglect him,
when we neglect his word and our glorious conversations listening to Him in prayer
~ Daniel
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