Saturday, July 29, 2006

Friday Evening

Friday Evening Session
Tony Campolo

This is the first time I’ve ever heard Campolo speak. I’ll tell you the truth: I’ve stayed away from his him ever since I heard he was invited to the White House as a friend when Clinton was in office.

I feel like an idiot. This man really has something to say and the church needs to listen up.

Campolo recalled his years as a college professor between 1965 thru 1975. He marveled that young people really thought they could change the world. And do it tomorrow. But leaders, political and religious – leaders that embodied the expectation of a better world - were assassinated. I was born in 1965 so it’s difficult for me to process that this happens any where but under third world regimes.

Young people moved from an era of hope to self-centeredness. The so-called “Me Generation”. And then we wonder why we’ve produced such a materialistic generation.

Campolo did sort of a fill in the blank thing with the conference crowd:

“You need to go to college.”
“To get a good job.”
“So you can make lots of money.”
“So you can buy lots of stuff.”

“The purpose of an education is to serve people in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Campolo says that present day politicians play on our fears. And preachers get their sermons from politicians instead of the Bible. Ouch.

He encouraged us to re-vitalize our prayer lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t rely on pre-packaged presentations to encourage people to follow Christ or to serve others. Do it in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to be a regenerating force in prayer, daily.

“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Campolo said, “Read the Bible like a love letter. Did you ever read a love letter just to get the facts?”

Compassion is an emotion. Allow the Holy Spirit and the Bible stir up compassion in our lives.

1 comment:

Joan said...

"He encouraged us to re-vitalize our prayer lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t rely on pre-packaged presentations to encourage people to follow Christ or to serve others. Do it in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to be a regenerating force in prayer, daily."

why does that sound so insanely profound?

as to "crushes"? Funny comment! But seriously, If you've never given the wife a reason to doubt, you are a good man meeting her security needs. Bravo!

http://5purposedriven.wordpress.com/2006/07/29/how-do-i-forgive-a-woman-who-has-a-crush-on-my-husband/