Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Religious Right's Era Is Over
“We are poised on the edge of what might become a revival that will bring about big changes in the world. Historically, social reform often requires spiritual revival. And that's what church historians always say about real revival — that it changes things in the society, not just in people's inner lives. I believe that what we are seeing now may be the beginning of a new revival — a revival for justice.”
from the Time magazine article “The Religious Right's Era Is Over.”
William Wilberforce, the great abolitionist of Britain, said “Almighty God has set before me two great objectives- the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.” One did not trump the other. Rather, the two complemented each other. True revival reforms not only the individual heart but also the world around it. In 1797, Wilberforce published his book “A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country with Real Christianity” (see Great Moments in Book Titles of the 18th Century- kidding). We know it today as “A Practical View of Christianity,” and it’s as relevant as it ever was 200 years ago. That book rocked a nation and served as a catalyst to spark the Second Great Awakening.
I believe God has much to say in this day concerning social reform and injustice. I also believe we need to cry out for the books to be written and the messages to go forth that will carry the movements that will reshape our world. Paint the pictures that will declare the communiqué of justice.
I once heard it said that the richest places on earth are not the oil fields of the Middle East or the diamond mines of Africa, but it’s the silent graveyards around us filled with all the unwritten books and unsung songs that lay buried as treasures never to be discovered.
Posted by Matt Lockett at 6:32 AM 0 comments
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Britney Spears Takes Nazirite Vow?
Uh... probably not. Why do we care about this? Honestly, I think cleaning my refrigerator is more interesting than this. Although she might fit in nicely down here at the base with this look.
Posted by Matt Lockett at 9:31 PM 1 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
My Loss Is My Gain
Sitting in the house of prayer this morning, I'm completely overwhelmed by this realization– my utter loss is my total gain.
Philippians 3:7-9
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Whatever hold this world has on me is nothing more than trash to be discarded. “Circumcise me again God. Show me some more flesh that I don't need.”
Posted by Matt Lockett at 6:37 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Brrrrrr
Please pray for me. I'll be heading to Grand Rapids, MI tomorrow to speak at a gathering of youth pastors. I'll also be meeting to discuss and brainstorm key mobilization efforts for America's youth in the next two years.
My prayer is that this will be a major inroad for Bound4LIFE in Michigan. By the way, does anyone know where Berea, MI is? (trick question)
Posted by Matt Lockett at 9:23 PM 2 comments