May 23 was Pentecost Sunday. Did you feel the fire of the Holy Spirit move in your heart?
I love Pentecost. I totally get it and truly believe that when Jesus left the disciples to return to the Father, he sent his Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with us all the time. There have been times in my life when circumstances are just too wierd to believe, and I know the Holy Spirit has had a hand in my life.
This past Sunday, May 30, was Holy Trinity Sunday. On this day we reflect upon the triune nature of God...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This concept can be really hard to believe and to reconcile with our 21st century brains, but multiple Bible passages point to this unique understanding of God.
These two Sundays, paired so closely together in the church year, help remind us that we are never alone. God the creator, father of all things, is always with us. Whether we see and feel God through the created world in which we live, feel his presence because of what we know of His Son, Jesus, and how He suffered and died for us, or suddenly find ourselves moved to doing something we didn't plan to do because of the Holy Spirit guiding our hearts and minds, God has made it clear that He is with us in one shape or another.
I think the timing is pretty neat. Here we are, about to embark upon vacations and summer travels that will likely take us away from our home congregations and support systems. And yet, the Holy Spirit has moved the powers that be in the Church that designed the liturgical year and church calendar to conveniently smack us in the face with this reminder, "You are never alone, I am always with you, for the Father is sending you the Advocate, the Holy Spirit" (paraphrase John 14:15-21)
So enjoy your vacations. Your travels may take you to some incredible vistas that will re-connect you to the awesome creative power of God. But if you feel somehow homesick, remember that the Holy Spirit is with you and let your travels be Spirit-filled. When you shine with the love of God and let the Holy Spirit guide your life, others will take notice that your life is somehow different. It is different, because you were made holy in your baptism and the Holy Spirit lives in you.
And you, child of God, are never alone. Do you feel it?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
What a beautiful day
The sky is blue, the sun is shining, the temperature is perfect, the breeze is cool, the hammock is beckoning and the puppy is asleep at my feet...this is the kind of day that makes you feel like everything is right with the world. Now that phrase gives me pause because, really, if we remember that God is in control, then everything IS right with the world. Maybe we need days like this to remember that.
At St. Andrew we've gone through the seasons of Lent and Easter talking about "fire building." We've searched our souls and lives looking for the things of which we need to let go and throw into our fire...things like our anger at petty hurts, or the things we need to move down lower on our list of priorities in order to make room for the more important things.
We've also looked at the kinds of things we need to take on...the kinds of things that will help fuel the fire that God kindles on Sunday and help keep us "Fired Up for God" throughout the week. We need to engage in prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship with each other, and making time for the people most important in our lives, and time for God. But we don't need to tackle adding these things into our lives all at once, because when you pile a log onto just kindled flames, you can smother that fire and extinguish it. If we add these elements to our lives in small increments, we can build a fire for God in our hearts that will desire to be kept alive and burning through more of those pieces of fuel that God provides. That fire in our hearts can become a bonfire that others will see and want to gather around to find out what's so special in our lives.
Today's weather reminds me of camping weather. So....whenever you're camping you've got to have a campfire, right? But I don't really need to wait for days like today to remember that God has lit a fire in my heart and kindles it every Sunday through worship, Holy Communion, and fellowship with my St. Andrew friends and family. He stokes it everyday too. I just need to be open and receptive to that Holy Spirit moving in my daily life and guiding me along the path God has set for me. I know this because He has promised to be with me always and will never let that flame ignited in me in my baptism to be extinguished...for I am a child of God.
And so are you.
At St. Andrew we've gone through the seasons of Lent and Easter talking about "fire building." We've searched our souls and lives looking for the things of which we need to let go and throw into our fire...things like our anger at petty hurts, or the things we need to move down lower on our list of priorities in order to make room for the more important things.
We've also looked at the kinds of things we need to take on...the kinds of things that will help fuel the fire that God kindles on Sunday and help keep us "Fired Up for God" throughout the week. We need to engage in prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship with each other, and making time for the people most important in our lives, and time for God. But we don't need to tackle adding these things into our lives all at once, because when you pile a log onto just kindled flames, you can smother that fire and extinguish it. If we add these elements to our lives in small increments, we can build a fire for God in our hearts that will desire to be kept alive and burning through more of those pieces of fuel that God provides. That fire in our hearts can become a bonfire that others will see and want to gather around to find out what's so special in our lives.
Today's weather reminds me of camping weather. So....whenever you're camping you've got to have a campfire, right? But I don't really need to wait for days like today to remember that God has lit a fire in my heart and kindles it every Sunday through worship, Holy Communion, and fellowship with my St. Andrew friends and family. He stokes it everyday too. I just need to be open and receptive to that Holy Spirit moving in my daily life and guiding me along the path God has set for me. I know this because He has promised to be with me always and will never let that flame ignited in me in my baptism to be extinguished...for I am a child of God.
And so are you.
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