PAUSE

Fri, Feb 1, 2008
Permalink

The frantic pace of our culture is epidemic. Our lives can easily become so crowded with good things that we no longer have room for the best things. As a result, our relationships with God and others suffer. That’s why one of the greatest deterrents to revival can be busyness. Deep encounters with God often begin with those who are willing to push the “pause button.” This issue of Spirit of Revival explores the powerful practice of making time to listen to God and to cultivate His presence.

[originally published under the title Spirit of Revival]

Articles In This Issue

Changing Time Zones
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Calvin Miller
Permalink
PAUSE

Changing Time Zones

Of all gifts God gives us, surely the most precious is the gift of time. Seconds, minutes, years are all life-parts, assembled and ready for our use in his service. The sand of our lives is running through the hourglass-fast, steady, precious. The clock belongs to Christ, and each tick summons us to surrender every second to His glory.   Time may be either the friend or the enemy of our surrender to Christ. A Chinese sage sums up our clockish biographies in three words: hurry, worry, bury. How often this trinity of words describes our surface Christianity! When we sum ...

View Full Article
Spend an Hour with God
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Life Action
Permalink
PAUSE

Spend an Hour with God

Surveys indicate that most Christians spend five minutes or less each day in prayer. A meaningful time with God is vital to a vibrant spiritual life, but many don’t know how to get started. Here is a simple pattern for organizing a daily time with God. Spend five minutes on each of the following:   1. Confession. Sin is the greatest roadblock to prayer; early in your prayer time, confess—agree with God about your sin. (Psalm 139:23-24; 51:10-11; 1 John 1:9) 2. Praise. Dwell on God’s attributes. He is an awesome God! (Psalm 34:1-3 ...

View Full Article
Making Space for God
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Donald Whitney
Permalink
PAUSE

Making Space for God

There is something transforming about silence and solitude. Moses and Paul were both transformed through years in virtual isolation. And while it would be neither right nor desirable to be cloistered from our God-given responsibilities involving other people, there are many biblical reasons for making the disciplines of solitude and silence a priority in our lives.

To Follow Jesus' Example

The Scriptures teach that Jesus practiced silence and solitude. In Luke 4:42 we read, "And when day came, He departed and went to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried ...

View Full Article
Tired of Being Tired
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Steve Farrar
Permalink
PAUSE

Tired of Being Tired

If there is one term that describes the state of affairs in the lives of people today, it is overload. The mere mention of the word triggers a groan within us. Overload reminds us of the weight of everyday life. We are overwhelmed, overworked, overcommitted, overanxious, overmatched, and overextended. Our tanks are on empty, and we’re running on fumes. Have you ever been in a health club and seen someone sprinting on a treadmill? That’s the mental picture that comes to mind. We’re running as fast as we can to keep from falling off the back, and ...

View Full Article
Editorial
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Del Fehsenfeld III
Permalink
PAUSE

Editorial

The onlookers at the air show stared in disbelief. Fiery wreckage was all that remained of the impressive fighter jet that moments earlier had streaked across the sky. Flying upside down, the pilot became confused about which way was up and pulled the wrong direction on the flight stick. Although the consequences may not be as immediate, disorientation at a high rate of speed is a deadly combination for all of us. Capacity for discernment is diminished. Margin for error is dramatically decreased. The result is a high risk of careening in wrong directions. Yet for many, moving fast is ...

View Full Article
A Delightful Pause
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Craig Clapper
Permalink
PAUSE

A Delightful Pause

Pastor Craig Clapper was given a unique "dream come true" sabbatical experience-a 54-day hike along the Appalachian Trail. His "pause" lasted four months and brought him closer to the Lord than he'd ever been. The following interview was conducted shortly after his return.   What was the state of your ministry prior to the sabbatical?   When people think sabbatical, they think of a pastor on the brink of burnout. But that wasn't me. I was doing fine personally, and my church was relatively healthy. When I became aware of a special grant for pastoral sabbaticals, I applied, and I ...

View Full Article
Making It Personal
Article
Sat, Mar 1, 2008
Life Action
Permalink
PAUSE

Making It Personal

Are You Addicted to Speed? 1. You are behind a driver who hasn’t noticed that the light has turned green. How do you respond? a. Give the person a moment to notice the light has changed b. Blow your horn immediately c. Tailgate the offending driver for the next mile   2. You’re in a slow-moving grocery line with time to spare. What are you most likely to do? a. Engage in a conversation with someone b. Look repeatedly at the person at the register to see how fast things are going c. Become irritated   3. In conversing with ...

View Full Article
A Place of Quiet Rest
Article
Fri, Feb 1, 2008
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Permalink
PAUSE

A Place of Quiet Rest

Some time ago, I asked the women attending a weekend conference where I was speaking to write on a three-by-five-inch card why they had come and what it was they were hoping God would do in their lives through the weekend. "Where does God find you as we start this weekend?" I asked.
Later, as I read the responses to my question, I was amazed at how many of them sounded alike. Here is a sampling: "I feel I'm out of control sometimes with so many pressures."
"I feel like I'm torn in all directions."
"I need to ...

View Full Article
Print
View All

View by Topic

Subscribe to Revive

Subscribe to Revive Magazine

Sign-up to receive Life Action’s quarterly revive magazine. Join more than 30,000 pastors, leaders, and individuals seeking God for spiritual renewal.