Catching Embers

Have you been following what's been taking place all throughout this month in what is being called "The Asbury Revival"?  While we were tracking the news coming out from the college campus based in Wilmore, Kentucky, we only decided to tune-in to the livestream on Thurs., Feb. 23rd (which also happened to be the last official day of the revival).  As we watched, worshipped, and prayed along to the livestream - our hearts were so deeply moved by the pure adoration and devotion coming out from Hughes Auditorium.  As we continued to worship through the livestream, we also began to sense such a sweet presence of the Holy Spirit in our family room.  My youngest daughter happened to be sitting next to me on the sofa and I felt led to lay hands and pray for her.  As I did, I could see that her heart was being touched by the love of Jesus.  So I asked her, "Elena, what is Jesus saying to you?"  She replied, "You are filled with love, you are filled with light, you are filled with kindness..."  It was my first time witnessing Elena having a real encounter with God. It was also a clear reminder that the Holy Spirit does not discriminate by age and that there is no such thing as a junior Holy Spirit. 

Watching Elena experience the love of Jesus Christ in this manner served as a reminder to us as a family to return back to Jesus as our first love. This invitation was so timely because these past two months have been quite full with ministry and other family things.  But as I watched Elena experiencing the love of Jesus, I was reminded that while our ministry to pastors and churches is good, it runs secondary to our calling to build our lives centered on the love of Jesus.  To behold Him and to minister to His heart is our greatest ministry...and to love and to be loved by Him is our greatest calling.  

So with all this in mind, as you journey into the season of Lent (never too late to start), our prayer for you is that you too would return again to Jesus, your first love. 

May you rediscover the wonder and awe of what it means to be loved by Him and in return, to love Him.  

May the Holy Spirit woo you back to the place of pure adoration and sweet devotion to Jesus.