Thursday 1 March 2012

"Revival"

I absolutely love the word "Revival".  The word "Revival", to me, has only good memories attached to it...

My Grandpa Barney suffered a massive heart attack... pronounced dead and un-hooked from all life support... a few hours later he was talking to my mom... "Revival".   He lived for seven days and was able to see all of his children and grand children... he wanted water from the farm because the hospital water tasted funny... he went to heaven peacefully... "Revival".

My Grandma Emma was injured during the birth of her first son... slipped into a coma for 3 days... left for dead by her doctor... she met with God during her 3 days of absence from this earth and vowed to speak of the goodness and salvation of God every time she had the opportunity if He would allow her to live and raise her child... "Revival"... When she woke up she was told she would be unable to have anymore children so, she began the task of raising my Uncle Vent... then Aunt Vernice, Uncle Alvin, Aunt Kate, Aunt Madge, Aunt Onieda, MY dad, and Aunt Flo... "Revival"... The local methodist church saw my Grandma Emma fulfill her vow... every time they opened the floor for testimony she would stand and speak of Gods goodness and salvation... her "Revival".

My friend Mitch Goskie died after his mini-bike crashed into a guideline from an electric pole... for 18 minutes his lay motionless and lifeless... his throat and voice box crushed by the impact.  He is a recording artist in Nashville... "Revival"

My friend "Old Tom" (Ollif)... we call him "Old Tom" because he is old... dies from a heart attack, left his body and watched the doctors try to save him... he enjoyed the feelings of heaven, the light of God and then returned to earth to tell his story... and it is a good one... "Revival"

My Dad recently came through a time of what appeared to be certain death... he is at home now, resting, getting stronger, talking on the phone... "Revival"

My brother Jack... WOW! ... enough said.

I love "Revival".  "Revival" has been very good for me.  "Revival" has never harmed me... "Revival" has blessed me with life... Life.

I am the Grandson of "Revival", The friend of "Revival", The son of "Revival", the brother of "Revival" ... "Revival" has touched my life in every way possible.  I believe in "Revival"... the ability that something dead or dying can be instantly and completely made alive... "Revival"... the thought that bones can rattle and flesh can grow... breath return... and a lifeless body stand... "Revival".

I am the evidence of "Revival".  My life stands as proof of "Revival"... The word "Revival" is made flesh when you look at me... when you see me in my physical body... you see "Revival".  The first time I can remember "Revival" was when I was five years old and prayed with my Dad to receive Jesus... I was revived throughout my teenage years at Bible camps and Bible studies... "when the light went on".  I was revived in 1983 when I decided to go to Emmaus Bible College and "get to know God better"... I was revived in 1987 when I made the choice to give my life in service to God and ministry... I was revived in 1990 at a Pastors Convention in Chicago... I was revived in 1993 at a youth convention in San Fransisco... in 1994 on a mission trip to Grenada, Westview Bible Church in Montreal, Airport Christian Fellowship in Toronto... I was revived from my first round of being sick with depression at the same time.  I was revived in 1996 at Peace Portal Alliance in White Rock B.C.... I was revived in 1997 at The Langley Vineyard in Langley BC ... etc. etc.  My latest "Revival" was in November of 2011, February of 2012, and last week... I was dead and now I am ALIVE! ... "Revival".

The reason I have received so much revival is simply due to the overwhelming amount of death I have experienced... For every death, I have received... "Revival".... Beauty from Ashes... Joy from Sorrow ...  Health from Sickness... Life from Death ... Real, Live, Active, Transforming... "Revival".

Many times after "Revival" I have stood there like a mummy... alive on the inside... but, still all wrapped up... Many times I have received "Revival" ... the bones rattle ... but, my fear, concerns or unbelief have choked it out...

But, thats okay...

I am allowed to have as much "Revival" as it takes to keep on living... and so are you.

We have the privilege of living with the potential of "Revival" all the time... at any time... anything and everything that is dead or dying in our life can instantly and completely become a space where "Revival" happens.

Remembering times of "Revival" brings me great happiness, hope, and peace... remembering "Revival" lets me see where I came from and helps me dream of where I am going... The word "Revival", to me, is 100% Good News...

I love "Revival".
I desire "Revival".
I enjoy "Revival".
I celebrate "Revival".
I welcome "Revival".

"Revival" is a great word... thankfully, it is more than just a good word... "Revival" is an action... To me, "Revival"is a reminder that a Being, a Higher Power, is kind enough and powerful enough to take action... to change death to life...   This Being, my Heavenly Father, is so full of life that His action... His simple glance in our direction causes bones to rattle... His action... His words cause flesh to grow... His action of an out stretched hand gives lifeless bodies the ability to stand.  He is so kind.  His actions of kindness makes us think at a higher level... We begin to think that because of His actions of love and kindness "the dead" (we) could rise up and live... Our thoughts, at this higher level, become faith and belief that He is powerful enough and kind enough to take action... His action, no matter how small...  can transform anything... absolutely anything ... no matter how hurt or sick, dead or dying... Remembering "Revival" is remembering that my Heavenly Father is so loving and so kind that He takes action... I love "Revival" of any kind... great or small... because when I see a "Revival"... I see my Heavenly Father in action... right before my eyes... on the earth... in you, in me, in "Us".

I love "Revival".
I want to see more "Revival".
I love seeing my Heavenly Father in action...
He is fun to watch...

For You.
For Me.
For "Us".

"Revival".

Its happening.