Merry - Christ - Mass

Monday, the first day back to normalcy after a great Thanksgiving.  Christmas is in full swing.  All the decorations are out, just about everyone has at least started shopping, stations are playing Christmas music on the radio, Christmas is here. 

I am often reminded of the opening scene  of my favorite Christmas movie this time every year.  A Christmas Story begins at the store window, the same window every year ushers in a new Christmas.  It begins with Hope and Wonder.  New toys, new toys, new toys.  Comsumerism at its finest. and then... there it is, the Official Red Ryder 200 shot range model air rifle.  

But today, 2010, I am reminded of that scene, because in 25 days, CHRISTmas day will have arrived.  And while the potential of a new Christmas season brings new traditions, old favorites, ups and downs, but the focus is on Dec. 25. 

For Ralphie, the focus on that day makes him miss the current situation.  He cusses in front of his father, doesn't enjoy the tree trimming, can't help his friend on the playground, makes c's on papers, and refuses to enjoy a parade, all because of what the 25th will or won't bring. 

For us, Christmas should be more.  More than the gifts, which are great. More than the parties, whuch are fun.  More than the food, which is delicious.  All of these things are fine, and should be enjoyed.  But what rally matters is that we focus on not the event of the 25th, but on the event that the 25th represents.

Merry Christ Mass. 
     Merry - Joyous - festive
     Christ - Saviour - messiah
     Mass - eucharist - Church Service

So shouldn't this season be filled with joyous celebrations of Jesus? 

Can i encourage you to take a moment to celbrate our King at each party you attend.  To be a cheerful giver this Holiday Season.  it is better to give than receive after all. 

I am starting a movement, its called  " - negativity " minus negativity.  for the next 25 days join us in subtracting negative comments from our Facebook, our emails, our lives. 

Revival 2010

The dictionary defines Revival as an awakening or restoration of Life.  Mark Shelley showed us that revival can be student led, and that most major revivals start with young people.  And while all of these are true, revival can also be an individual experience. 

My revival this week was different from yours.  Not because I am in a different place, or that my relationship with God is so different than yours.  But rather God, in His infinite wisdom, meets me and has different things to show me than you, and that's great.

Simply raising your hands isn't enough for revival.  You can do that at a U2 concert.  Simply singing the songs isn't enough.  You can do that at a Casting Crowns show.  Simply hearing the preaching, or jumping til the ceiling caves in, or turning all the lights out, all in and of themselves, are not enough.

So I came into this week hoping to recreate an atmosphere similar to Superwow, and bringing in a crazy awesome band with a phenomenal youth evangelist should help usher in the heart of worship.  God had other plans, better plans.

The band did amazing, blowing me away with the talent and gifts God bestowed and never performed, but worshipped.  Mark brought the Word of God, and was obedient to the move of the Holy Spirit and stayed sensitive to that.

But then what God did, is use the young people of LCY.  And in a moment roles reversed. Instead of my ministering to the students, they began ministering to me.  They began sharing, opening their hearts, their hurts, their struggles.  They prayed for each other, they hugged, held, cried.  They leaned on each other.  They began leading a revival, one that multiplied itself to a final night where parents, students that haven't been in forever, and some that never have been, came to see what God was doing.  And boy was He doing.

It began Sunday morning; baptism, drama, the band was kicking, and Mark brought it.  Transparent worship.  It started growing Sunday afternoon as the anticipation mounted.  Sunday evening saw a guest bring his dance team, sharing talents and gifts, and Introduced the students to the Holy Spirit Power.  Monday was great, and students gathered in groups of a few to pray and share and minister.  Tuesday - powerful Tuesday - started somewhat dead, but God said "No", we shed all the show, and the Spirit of "Cool" was rebuked, and intimacy grew,  and what could have been a weak night turned into a night of huge impact for students.  Deep pain was exposed, and again the students ministered.  Finally wednesday was a culmination, a final explosion that will hopefully seal in the hearts of the students for the rest of their lives.

This week will be one that will live with me forever.  I hope you were able to make it.  I hope your experience was as real and wonderful.  Did it change your life?  Did you change someone else's?  What decisions did you make? 

Revival, an awakening, or restoration of life... How did this week affect you?