I appreciate what you wrote on this. I've started to write something, then decided I didn't really have to express an opinion. Being a minister in a non-charismatic tradition, I appreciate that this is not a dazzling and excitable revival, but one centered on prayer. I have some feelings about the outsiders coming in ... I think we agree on that too. This is just so well expressed and my only hope is that the college students who began to pray and didn't want to stop will be filled with God's purpose and regard as they walk outside of the building, as you wrote so beautifully. I do hope that for this moment they have something they can all look back on and believe that God came near....and He never left.
I wrote my own, similar, post this week about revival as well. No proclamation on what is or isn't happening in Asbury. Rather a reflection of what's happening in my life, in my family's life. Revival is here. Now. In our everyday. It's the Johnnyswim song "Live While We're Young" that's been echoing in my mind: "While you pray for revival, I'm already living in one."
I wrote these words this week, and they're the ones that ring true every time I think about this cultural phenomenon: "We’re broken, yet still wholly good, people living in a broken, yet still wholly good, world, serving a broken, yet still wholly good, God." Jesus. Broken for us. Wholly good. We bear God's image. Broken. yet still wholly good. When we live into that? That's revival.
This line, Shannan: "Culture always catches us at the intersections of our lived experiences. We try to understand events outside of us, and sometimes, we wind up understanding something new about ourselves in the process."
Smart and thoughtfully considered all around. Who'd have guessed enduring spiritual trauma at a young age might offer us a leg up with discernment as adults, but okay. I'll take it.
Your thoughtful words are just what I needed. This….”But revival doesn’t happen in the shelter. It happens in the streets.” “Revival is the fruit.” I pray that we all “will live the testimony”. Thank you Shannan.
Yes. Exactly. I grew up in the exact same church environment and experiences. I never felt settled in it - even as a very young child. In college, I was well acquainted with the Pensacola "revival." Asbury seems like another Pensacola. I don't know of anything horrible that came out of Pensacola but I know the church is no better and the suffering and division seem worse. So, with Asbury, my thoughts have been "so what?" Anyway, you said everything I have felt and thought. Thank you.
Like you I am cautious about revival- but- I am choosing to be optimistic- if God is in this- how reassuring for all us Ragamuffins- hope is stirring- I choose to have hope-& to believe- God have mercy - the days are dark- but the Light is shining through- sometimes we only see the fruits when we retrace - praying Good comes from this movement of the Spirit 🙌🏻🌟
I read this blog last night and pondered it. Just as I was about to fall asleep the Lord reminded me that Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with God on the mountain. He invited the Israelite people to join him, but they declined. Then I thought of Jesus just before His ascension into heaven telling 500 believers to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power. 120 did that in obedience to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 10 days later the obedient believers were together in one place when the Holy Spirit came upon them, filling them with His Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit-filled believers went out into the world/the streets in the power and direction of the Lord's Holy Spirit. Many of us have experienced or heard of "religious" settings where people are more enamored with emotion and control than they are with devotion and obedience--abiding in the Word of the Lord and showing their faith by their deeds. We must diligently continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness if we desire to be filled. Jesus prayed for Unity in the Body of Christ. I am too. God is forever faithful and totally trustworthy. He will draw near to those who desire to draw near to Him whether it is individually or corporately. May God be glorified!
I appreciate what you wrote on this. I've started to write something, then decided I didn't really have to express an opinion. Being a minister in a non-charismatic tradition, I appreciate that this is not a dazzling and excitable revival, but one centered on prayer. I have some feelings about the outsiders coming in ... I think we agree on that too. This is just so well expressed and my only hope is that the college students who began to pray and didn't want to stop will be filled with God's purpose and regard as they walk outside of the building, as you wrote so beautifully. I do hope that for this moment they have something they can all look back on and believe that God came near....and He never left.
I wrote my own, similar, post this week about revival as well. No proclamation on what is or isn't happening in Asbury. Rather a reflection of what's happening in my life, in my family's life. Revival is here. Now. In our everyday. It's the Johnnyswim song "Live While We're Young" that's been echoing in my mind: "While you pray for revival, I'm already living in one."
I wrote these words this week, and they're the ones that ring true every time I think about this cultural phenomenon: "We’re broken, yet still wholly good, people living in a broken, yet still wholly good, world, serving a broken, yet still wholly good, God." Jesus. Broken for us. Wholly good. We bear God's image. Broken. yet still wholly good. When we live into that? That's revival.
I’ve been asking myself why I feel so put-off by the posts about what’s happening at Asbury. Thank you for this thoughtful, timely letter. ❤️
This line, Shannan: "Culture always catches us at the intersections of our lived experiences. We try to understand events outside of us, and sometimes, we wind up understanding something new about ourselves in the process."
Smart and thoughtfully considered all around. Who'd have guessed enduring spiritual trauma at a young age might offer us a leg up with discernment as adults, but okay. I'll take it.
Glad to have found your work.
Your thoughtful words are just what I needed. This….”But revival doesn’t happen in the shelter. It happens in the streets.” “Revival is the fruit.” I pray that we all “will live the testimony”. Thank you Shannan.
Yes. Exactly. I grew up in the exact same church environment and experiences. I never felt settled in it - even as a very young child. In college, I was well acquainted with the Pensacola "revival." Asbury seems like another Pensacola. I don't know of anything horrible that came out of Pensacola but I know the church is no better and the suffering and division seem worse. So, with Asbury, my thoughts have been "so what?" Anyway, you said everything I have felt and thought. Thank you.
Yes. Amen.
Amen
"But revival is not an extended worship service.
Revival is the fruit.
Revival does not live inside walls.
Revival happens in the streets."
Does there need to be this dichotomy? Rather than either/or, might revival be both/and?
Oh wow Shannon. Beautifully written. Really makes me think. Thank you.
So damn good. Thank you 🔥
Love this, Shannan. Thanks for sharing!
Love this, Shannan!
Amen
Like you I am cautious about revival- but- I am choosing to be optimistic- if God is in this- how reassuring for all us Ragamuffins- hope is stirring- I choose to have hope-& to believe- God have mercy - the days are dark- but the Light is shining through- sometimes we only see the fruits when we retrace - praying Good comes from this movement of the Spirit 🙌🏻🌟
I read this blog last night and pondered it. Just as I was about to fall asleep the Lord reminded me that Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with God on the mountain. He invited the Israelite people to join him, but they declined. Then I thought of Jesus just before His ascension into heaven telling 500 believers to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power. 120 did that in obedience to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 10 days later the obedient believers were together in one place when the Holy Spirit came upon them, filling them with His Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit-filled believers went out into the world/the streets in the power and direction of the Lord's Holy Spirit. Many of us have experienced or heard of "religious" settings where people are more enamored with emotion and control than they are with devotion and obedience--abiding in the Word of the Lord and showing their faith by their deeds. We must diligently continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness if we desire to be filled. Jesus prayed for Unity in the Body of Christ. I am too. God is forever faithful and totally trustworthy. He will draw near to those who desire to draw near to Him whether it is individually or corporately. May God be glorified!