Come Down, Lord!

Not very long ago we were told by Christian leaders that it would be wrong to gather for worship even while wearing masks because the civil authorities had forbidden us from gathering in groups of more than 5.  It was - we were told - a matter of Christian obedience pure and simple.  Since then we have seen some interesting (and worrying) developments.   The government has allowed us to gather in larger groups and many (though certainly not most) churches have begun to do so.  However, the authorities have told us that while we may gather we may not sing, and more recently they have told us we must wear masks.   So, how have churches responded to these developments?  Many churches have decided to play it safe.  I will call them ‘group A’.  Worried about the virus they have decided to resume worship in the fall or even later.  Eventually they will begin meeting again, but they are in no rush to do so.  They have told their congregations ...

Updated October 28, 2020 Here I want to recommend books on the theme of revival.   By that I do not mean biographies of men used in revival like Whitefield, Wesley or Elias. Rather, I mean books written either about the subject itself or books that give accounts of revival. Years ago I was introduced to Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill.   That book (in 2003) changed my life.  In fact it had more of an impact on me than any book since.  From that point I have had a growing interest in the subject of revival and also a growing burden to see the Lord revive the Church in this country.    In 2004 I discovered Sermon Index .  That year I heard three sermons/talks that dramatically impacted me.  The first was titled Ten Shekels and a Shirt .  Though it isn't a sermon on revival, the subject of revival came up.   It was a sermon that changed my perspective on God, missions, salvation and revival.   The second was a gripp...

Do you remember? Do you remember when you were as - John Flavel put it - "restless and impatient… in His absence!"  O you could bear anything but that. Sickness you could bear. Pain and temporal losses you could endure.  But His absence was unbearable. You couldn't stand to go on without the sense of His dear smile. You longed to walk and live and breathe in the light of His countenance. Do you remember when “Divine withdrawments were to you as the hell of hell (Flavel).”  Those seasons when God seemed to hide His face from you, when He was distant, and there wasn't that familiar communion and fellowship in the prayer closet were to you as hell.  You wept and you groaned and you cried for His return. You stirred yourself to take hold of God (Isaiah 6:7), you wrestled with Him as you told Him you would not let Him go. Do you remember when the world was a burden to you?  Do you remember a time when if it weren't for your sense of duty you would have gladly and...