As a visitor to this website, you likely know that on our News & Views page, we list the latest postings by many of those who write blogs about things related to Southern Gospel music and the Christian life. One of those blogs is written by a young lady named Sony Elise and her blog is titled Southern Gospel World … and I must say that she writes some pretty insightful and thought-provoking messages – one of which she posted a few days ago:
This past week, I’ve had the privilege of traveling with my brother as he gives his Revival in the Home seminar. It’s neat to see the families that come as they realize the need for raising children to love and serve God. A large percentage of youth who are raised in Christian homes lose their faith due, in large part, to the parents not effectively discipling their children. This seminar is a tool God’s using to show parents how to stop this trend. I believe we won’t see Revival in the world until we see Revival in the church but we won’t see Revival in the church until we see Revival in the home.
We do a lot of singing about “revival” in Gospel music; however, as with so many things, do we take it to heart? Do we truly think about what it really means … and how we can bring it about?
In Christian terms, what is “revival” and what does it mean to us as individuals and to our Lord? And what role does a moving of the Holy Spirit play in all this? I’ve been thinking more about this whole matter since I began reading a book picked up recently in a used book store, titled The God Chasers. Even though I still don’t know much about the author, Tommy Tenney and his theology, his message has spoken to me.
At about the midway point in this 1998 writing, Mr. Tenney states: “No true revival has ever occurred simply because people sought revival. They were birthed when people sought Him. In our presumptuous thinking, we have said, ‘Okay, we’re going to hold a revival.’ You might as well try to hold a hurricane! If you can hold it, then ‘it ain’t revival.’ If you can contain it or control it, then ‘it ain’t revival either.’”
A little later, he writes … “It’s time to seek the Reviver instead of revival! God is tired of having long distance relationships with His people. He really wants to have intimate, close encounters with you and me. He wants to invade our homes with His abiding presence in a way that will make every visitor begin to weep with wonder and worship the moment they enter.”
I think that’s what is being spoken of by Sony Elise and her brother’s ministry … he seeks to be a facilitator for the Holy Spirit to enter a home, become rooted and flourish. After all, revival begins deep in the heart of an individual, then spreads to others like a contagious disease.
Here’s a question that Tommy Tenney addresses throughout this book … one that’s just as appropriate to be asked of me as of you: “Do you have a hunger for God?” … a desire to be closer to Him, to have what is spoken of frequently … a “personal relationship” with our Lord?
Certainly gives one much to consider. If you’d like to know more about Tommy Tenney and his ministry, visit his website: http://www.godchasers.net.
I can’t say that this is where I planned to go when I set out to discuss “revival” … but this is where the Lord has taken me, very possibly to show me that I have a long way to go, that it’s time that I really commit to knowing Him, not just more about Him. Yet, are most of us simply very comfortable where we are in our Christian walk, our relationship with the Master? But, is that where we need to be?
More than ever, I’d love to read your thoughts and views on this subject … so please share them in an E-mail now.
Marlin
