Times of Refreshing: Thoughts on Authentic Revival

I'm looking forward to time with the InterVarsity chapter at the University of Mary Washington this Thursday, 3/10.  I'll be speaking to these students about something close to my heart: Authentic Revival.

I use the term "Authentic Revival" to distinguish between an outpouring of the Spirit and the practices associated with "Revivalism."  There is a difference between a season of God's renewing work and a series of meetings in a local church aimed at "getting people saved."  The one can be transforming for people and community, the other is prone to manipulation and dysfunctional excesses.  One I pray for daily, the other I resist.

I'll have more to say at the meeting, but I want to use this post to make several resources available to everyone.

A Silent Exit For the Dr Behind The Silent Scream

February 21 marked the passing of Dr. Bernard Nathanson.  Don't feel bad if you weren't aware.  The 84 year-old doctor who changed his mind, then collaborated on the 1984 film called The Silent Scream" passed on with remarkable silence.

Nathanson was trained as an obstetrician, but by the 1960's he became deeply involved with the debate over and practice of abortion.  He helped establish NARAL - the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws.  After Roe v. Wade legalized abortion - he testified in favor of it - he established in New York City the largest free-standing abortion clinic in the world.  He estimates that he personally performed 75,000 abortions, including abortions on women pregnant by him.

Then came the ultra-sound.  The doctor watched an abortion as it was being performed.  The new technology of ultra-sound allowed him to observe the "fetus" as it was being pursued in the womb and then suctioned limb by limb to it's death.

Lies My Orphan Voice Recently Told Me

Molly Bites Back After Maddy Takes Her Down

We've got two Labradoodle "minis" that are cuter than any dogs have a right to be.  Recently, they came roaring through the door into the house and continued their favorite game of "full-contact-Labradoodle-wrestling" all through our kitchen.  Mary Lynn's response was, "Oh, to have such energy."

Still on my first cup of coffee, I heard myself thinking "Anyone would be so rambunctious and carefree if all they had to do was play, eat and sleep and had someone else taking care of their every need."  Immediately, I realized that was "my Orphan Voice" speaking. 

The Gospel Changes Everything!

I make no secret of the impact that Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, has had on my own life and experience of the Gospel of Grace.  "My 'Gospel Yoda' he is," as I listen to his sermons each week for my own growth and encouragement.  I'm passing along a link to this interview of him and Rabbi David Gelfand from the February 18th episode of MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

There are three powerful gospel truths touched in this clip:

And Now For The Rest of the Story: Is Marriage Really Obsolete?

Nearly 40% Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete read the USA Today headline on November 11, 2010.  The two paragraphs filled out the details.  (Click here to see the original article.)

Marriage is increasingly optional and could be on its way to obsolescence, according to a survey of more than 2,600 Americans that examines changing attitudes about relationships today.

Among the 2,691 adults surveyed by the Pew Research Center last month, 39% say marriage is becoming obsolete, up from 28% who responded to the same question posed in 1978 by Time magazine, which participated in the survey.

It was a headline that was repeated across newspapers, magazines, radio and TV for about a month.  Now for the rest of the story.

The Missing Cross: A Different Grace

Ever find yourself going from link to link and reading  countless articles on some blog to avoid working?  I recently spent about 45 minutes on the Huffington Post doing that, and it was pretty eye-opening. They were all  on their "Religion" section and all related to Christian faith.  But in a really different way than a generic evangelical like me is accustomed to.

I'm not really recommending - or denigrating - any particular articles, ideas or writers. When I step back and take a global view though, two things stood out to me:

Ordination of Women?

I've been preaching a series of sermons on issues and questions that people often ask me about as we sit together over coffee.  Those are often times that I speak to the uniqueness of the Gospel of Grace and how that plays out in the ministry of Christ Covenant as well as matters of real life.

This past Sunday - January 16, 2011 - I addressed the question of women in positions of ministry leadership, which for me as a Presbyterian means Elder or pastor.