“Christians, you want to have a real “revival”?
Stop singing.
Start emulating Jesus.
Get out of the church building and go feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the poor, welcome the immigrant, and love the least.
It takes no effort to sing.
Singing helps no one.
Leave the building.
Go and love.“
So its a bunch of kids hanging out and singing together? That’s great! Doesn’t seem to be too much wierdo stuff. Capacity for abuse seems pretty low at the moment. I don’t see how this could really transfer to other places, but its great for those young people in the building.
I’ve read that the sermon given in chapel that preceded this happening was one where the speaker challenged the college students with a long list of things they needed to do as Christians – one of those try harder and do better messages. But then the speaker wrapped up the message by telling the students they were all going to fail to faithfully and consistently keep all these things. He then said that is where we need the grace and love of God, and only when we have truly experienced that grace and love, will we then be able to carry out these things in some semblance.
It sure seems as if God then chose to pour out that experience of love and grace in a special way.
So, yes, we must do. But it is the love and grace of God that truly gives us the fuel to “do”. I pray that the “doing” may result from this. And I pray that in some manner God moves in such a way to spread this happening far beyond just Asbury.
As for Pavlovitz, he makes some good observations and commentaries about Christian/evangelical culture. But on this one, he is allowing his cynicism and disdain to project poor advice and seemingly a pretty rotten attitude.
If you read comments by Craig Keener and Tom McCall, both theologians and professors at Asbury Sem, well, it helped me realize this is authentic. Like Michael said, “so far.” Don’t think we should minimize what’s been going on at least up until now.
Asbury takes me way back when I was a young Army vet just out of the VA hospital (1971-72) and I took part in those halcyon old times at Calvary Chapel (Costa Mesa).
Papa Chuck had us mesmerized and hanging on every word.
Thank you Michael! I am rooting for Asbury. There are things I don’t understand and things that are not revealed, and I have become accepting of the limiting on my understanding. Jesus says that we recognize them by their fruit. I will patiently wait.
It appears our reactions/responses are more telling about us than them. I’ve long ago stepped away from doing anything corporately/group-wise for the cause of Christ. I still do things on a personal level, but I burned out long ago. Revival is appealing personally especially for the alternatives are dismal and depressing. The conditions we place on the genuineness of an event like this–call it what you may–are not in anyway binding on the Holy Spirit, that free blowing breeze, wind, or gale who does what He pleases. May those who humbly seek, find. May those who thirst, drink. May those who are worn out, find solace.
Revivals seem to me, to be an anomaly to like. Normally, the sound track of our lives is pain, disappointment, hopelessness. But every once in a while, God pokes his head into these circumstances and gives us a different perspective—that he is here, in control, with a plan.
I think that’s what is happening in Kentucky. It will go down in history alongside, The Azusa street revival, Toronto, etc.
The challenge is these things can’t be controlled. What happens is revivals are so refreshing and powerful that the leaders want the move to continue so they manipulate its continuation. Right now the president of Asbury is attempting to move the revival off campus. I think there will be pushback on that decision.
The question I have is what happens to these young men and women after the “revival” is over? So many people flock to these things and get “blessed” energized. It’s easy and it feels good! But the normal daily grind of the Christian life isn’t always like that. In time, the daily routine of life can cause the faithful to become faithless.
So, while I believe the Asbury revival to be real. It’s an anomaly to the Christian life. But like all other revivals they are genuine. But they serve a purpose. To “revive” our hope, and faith and confidence in God.
But they are no replacement to daily prayer, scripture reading, service and loving one another.
In the words of Luke “ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
And 2 Corinthians “ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
Hopper…isn’t the word “control” exactly the key disablement in evangelical circles–that ministers, boards, organizations have taken control and manipulate the whole christian experience while leaving out the divine plan & holy spirit enablement?
1. The city of 6k is being overwhelmed by crowds they cannot sustain. It is a serious difficulty for the residents and for the university.
2. When one hears their heart there is no discernible guile or ulterior motive. They want to bless the work of God.
3. If this reflects a sovereign work of God this move could have the effect of spreading and not dispersing what is happening.
Usually, my default is critique and evaluation. Enough of that for me just now, so my prayer is that this will be divinely ordered unto glorious outcomes.
This is not to say that man cannot quench what God is doing. Clearly we can. It is just to pray that within his grace this might be something akin to the scattering of the Jerusalem church for gospel intentions.
“Christians, you want to have a real “revival”?
Stop singing.
Start emulating Jesus.
Get out of the church building and go feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the poor, welcome the immigrant, and love the least.
It takes no effort to sing.
Singing helps no one.
Leave the building.
Go and love.“
John Pavlovitz
Pavlovitch loves everyone…unless they disagree with him, then he’s not real loving.
A lot of us are out doing the works that are set before us, but need a touch of God to keep going.
This may be the touch that some good people desperately need…
So its a bunch of kids hanging out and singing together? That’s great! Doesn’t seem to be too much wierdo stuff. Capacity for abuse seems pretty low at the moment. I don’t see how this could really transfer to other places, but its great for those young people in the building.
G-man, why not both?
I’ve read that the sermon given in chapel that preceded this happening was one where the speaker challenged the college students with a long list of things they needed to do as Christians – one of those try harder and do better messages. But then the speaker wrapped up the message by telling the students they were all going to fail to faithfully and consistently keep all these things. He then said that is where we need the grace and love of God, and only when we have truly experienced that grace and love, will we then be able to carry out these things in some semblance.
It sure seems as if God then chose to pour out that experience of love and grace in a special way.
So, yes, we must do. But it is the love and grace of God that truly gives us the fuel to “do”. I pray that the “doing” may result from this. And I pray that in some manner God moves in such a way to spread this happening far beyond just Asbury.
As for Pavlovitz, he makes some good observations and commentaries about Christian/evangelical culture. But on this one, he is allowing his cynicism and disdain to project poor advice and seemingly a pretty rotten attitude.
Captain Kevin
As a participant in “revivals” the scene is a distraction from actual engagement.
God is ALWAYS doing stuff when we do the stuff Jesus tells us to do.
G-Man
I’ll be blunt…this is making me angry.
There are a whole bunch of us out here trying to do the stuff Jesus tells us to do…extremely engaged .
We’re also exhausted and discouraged by the current state of the church…and the seeming absence of God in our daily walk and work.
You would think that if God decided to sovereignly move among us that our brethren would be happy that some refreshing has come.
You would think…
Pavlovitz is the left side of the intolerant coin he flips in the right sides face…
I don’t see why we can’t have both. It’s really not binary, is it?
This must be the real thing! They are singing a song about God, and to God and not one of the typical “me” songs normally sung on Sunday morning!
Has this Asbury event been compared to IHOP, and if so, how is it different?
No.
IHOP was a swarming nest of false prophets and liars…with celebrity liars front and center.
This is a leaderless move of God…so far.
If you read comments by Craig Keener and Tom McCall, both theologians and professors at Asbury Sem, well, it helped me realize this is authentic. Like Michael said, “so far.” Don’t think we should minimize what’s been going on at least up until now.
Asbury takes me way back when I was a young Army vet just out of the VA hospital (1971-72) and I took part in those halcyon old times at Calvary Chapel (Costa Mesa).
Papa Chuck had us mesmerized and hanging on every word.
Muff, he counselled and brought two of my cousins to the Lord. I cannot dislike him!
Thank you Michael! I am rooting for Asbury. There are things I don’t understand and things that are not revealed, and I have become accepting of the limiting on my understanding. Jesus says that we recognize them by their fruit. I will patiently wait.
Em,
Nor do I dislike Smith or his memory.
He was a very gifted public speaker.
Interesting article at wdrb.com/news
No need for me to hitch hike 2000 miles just to find out that I’m now too old to be allowed in.
JD,
Can you blame them?
It’s a school…and so many are trying to co-opt the event for their own benefit.
It appears our reactions/responses are more telling about us than them. I’ve long ago stepped away from doing anything corporately/group-wise for the cause of Christ. I still do things on a personal level, but I burned out long ago. Revival is appealing personally especially for the alternatives are dismal and depressing. The conditions we place on the genuineness of an event like this–call it what you may–are not in anyway binding on the Holy Spirit, that free blowing breeze, wind, or gale who does what He pleases. May those who humbly seek, find. May those who thirst, drink. May those who are worn out, find solace.
fil,
Thank you…my thoughts are the same…and my hopes.
Revivals seem to me, to be an anomaly to like. Normally, the sound track of our lives is pain, disappointment, hopelessness. But every once in a while, God pokes his head into these circumstances and gives us a different perspective—that he is here, in control, with a plan.
I think that’s what is happening in Kentucky. It will go down in history alongside, The Azusa street revival, Toronto, etc.
The challenge is these things can’t be controlled. What happens is revivals are so refreshing and powerful that the leaders want the move to continue so they manipulate its continuation. Right now the president of Asbury is attempting to move the revival off campus. I think there will be pushback on that decision.
The question I have is what happens to these young men and women after the “revival” is over? So many people flock to these things and get “blessed” energized. It’s easy and it feels good! But the normal daily grind of the Christian life isn’t always like that. In time, the daily routine of life can cause the faithful to become faithless.
So, while I believe the Asbury revival to be real. It’s an anomaly to the Christian life. But like all other revivals they are genuine. But they serve a purpose. To “revive” our hope, and faith and confidence in God.
But they are no replacement to daily prayer, scripture reading, service and loving one another.
In the words of Luke “ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
And 2 Corinthians “ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
Just my thoughts
Anomaly to “life” not like
Hopper…isn’t the word “control” exactly the key disablement in evangelical circles–that ministers, boards, organizations have taken control and manipulate the whole christian experience while leaving out the divine plan & holy spirit enablement?
Ok Michael, I apologize for making you feel anger. I will refrain from commenting and simply observe.
There is truth in what you say Fil
Looks like the school is shutting it down.
As for them shutting it down.
1. The city of 6k is being overwhelmed by crowds they cannot sustain. It is a serious difficulty for the residents and for the university.
2. When one hears their heart there is no discernible guile or ulterior motive. They want to bless the work of God.
3. If this reflects a sovereign work of God this move could have the effect of spreading and not dispersing what is happening.
Usually, my default is critique and evaluation. Enough of that for me just now, so my prayer is that this will be divinely ordered unto glorious outcomes.
This is not to say that man cannot quench what God is doing. Clearly we can. It is just to pray that within his grace this might be something akin to the scattering of the Jerusalem church for gospel intentions.
But yes they are…