Greetings to you in the name of the One who – can and does and will – make a difference in our lives, Jesus Christ – The Risen Saviour! What a delightful April morning – an opportunity to sense the creative power of God in ways that we all too often take for granted. I trust that you are finding time to simply sit in the sunshine, feel the arm breeze, and see the world coming to life once again. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to meet you at your point of need with His grace-mercy-hope.
I am listening to a new ‘cd’ this morning – On My Side by Kim Walker-Smith – and enjoying it very much. She is a very unique artist and the songs are rooted in good theology with a lovely touch of intimate worship. One song that catches my attention is called – Fresh Outpouring. As the name suggests the song expresses that restlessness within our spirit when we know that something is not quite right…there is an emptiness and we need a fresh outpouring of God’s indwelling presence.
Live Love Lead. Strange as it seems we need to experience emptiness, brokenness, and not quite rightness in order to seek out a fresh outpouring from God.
Second, a set of words that are more challenging, perhaps even shocking: “People congratulate themselves on their being forgiven without repenting; that God is on their side, without their following in the way of God as revealed in Jesus; that they are Christians, without it making much difference to their lives.” Glen Stassen and David Gushee, Kingdom Ethics. As I ponder my way through those words… do I need a fresh outpouring or do I need the initial outpouring. God, it seems to me, is not able to freshen something that was never there.
How I thank God for song writers and singers, Christian leaders and thinkers, and an ever active Holy Spirit.
Have a grand day – be blessed!