Sunday, May 23, 2010

Pentecost Sunday - Holy Spirit

Act 2 (NIV) 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...........12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

Reminded that today was Pentecost Sunday (7th Sunday after Easter - had to look it up). I read through the above verses...and the rest of chapter. LOVE www.biblegateway.com I find it interesting that some were amazed...and perplexed.....some questioned....and some made fun.

Personally? I think I'm in the amazed and perplexed and the questioning groups. Even as I gain a better understanding of God's plan by reading the Bible, I still frequently question how it is all going to work out. However, I frequently find that when I honestly question and wait for an answer. I do get one. I have to be willing to have my logical (smile?!?!?) thinking shook up. Does this mean all my questions are answered? Hardly!

I love mysteries anyway. It seems like I get clues revealed as I need them to continue on my journey. I get just enough info to move to the next place God wants me.

The people's reactions sound similar to today. It is really easy to feel safe, secure and blessed....in our homes, churches and with fellow believers. However, are you prepared for the people who question and/or make fun of you for being a Christian....or maybe even "un-friend" you from Facebook because of what you believe?

Praying for a revival of the Holy Spirit. Even if it makes people around us think we're a little weird.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Focus on the but?

Read carefully: Focus on the but (yes, only one "t"). As a woman, I need no help on focusing on the other spelling!

I have been thinking on this for awhile and at the time I didn't have a good example of my thought. I do now thanks to the Miss USA pageant (scholarship opportunity....sorry, a little sarcasm). I didn't watch it....totally forgot about it truthfully. I did hear/see Miss Michigan won! Followed up by and shown numerous times, she tripped. She's beautiful, she won, but the media seem to focus on the stumble!

Oh, we can be so critical....especially if it helps keep the attention off of us. BUT can be so negative. "You did good, BUT you could have done better" "I like this about myself, BUT I could/should still ___________ fill in the blank.

Many times it seems we put the positive 1st and then follow it with how it could be better. Sometimes maybe we need to stop ourselves before we get to BUT. "You did good." "I like this about myself" I've heard that for every negative, it can take up to 5 positives to counteract.

I'm going to start paying more attention to where I'm putting my attention when I think about others....and try to take it easier on myself as well. People really don't need our assistance in finding faults. It seems everybody has something about themselves they would change if they could.

I tried looking up "but" in the Bible...numerous versions even at www.biblegateway.com. I didn't find any. There were quite a few for "however".

Interesting that this is under the heading: Unity in the Body
Ephesians 4:2-7
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

Look for the gift in each person......Even if you have to get past a lot of buts.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Turn Around

The other night I walked into a beautiful sunset. I realized that had I been walking the other way I would have totally missed the beauty. Only due to other circumstances was I even walking....I would normally have been driving and not paying as much attention to the sky.

I was reminded of a time I was looking for a restaurant with a friend. We kept driving around the block looking on one side of the road. When we FINALLY found it, it was because we looked on the other side of the road.

I went on a bus trip with my 6th grader to Chicago. I told the kids I was sitting by they would know we were in Gary, Indiana when they saw lots of factories. One girl was facing me and she said she didn't see any factories. Another kid (facing the other way) told her it was because they were behind her. She needed to turn around to see them.

When my nephew was younger, I took him to a fast food place and he was in a big hurry to get to the play land. We had not even ordered yet! I told him to turn around. He stopped, did a complete circle....and kept going. A lady watching remarked, "He did what you asked him!" Yes, he did. ;)

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I have been thinking about this for awhile and then today I read the above verse and it clicked. So many times I am too busy looking for what I think I need to see that I forget that it may be on another side....or right in front of me. I need to turn around if necessary and definitely look up.

The verse above is under the heading "Woe to the Obstinate Nation". While this was written for the nation in its time, it also applies today to our nation. The chapter discusses doing things on their own and looking for help in the wrong places.

May we always be willing to turn around if necessary and rely on the voice behind us instead of our own.