Well, this past weekend was an incredible time....not because it was the long weekend, but for the first time in about 35 years, I was really able to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. So often I have been part of really good churches, which have valued the authority of the Bible; however, for some reason there has been an absence of celebrating Pentecost (the day on the Christian calendar that the Holy Spirit comes to the dwell in believers of Jesus).
Check this passage out from Acts 2:1-4:
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.
There was a huge party, as finally, the promised Holy Spirit showed up. As I reflected this past week, throughout the book of Acts, we see that the Holy Spirit is experienced - and in a variety of ways. I want to strive to be grounded in the Word of God and also believe in the experience of the Holy Spirit, (with all his gifts he offers). I want to expect much of the Holy Spirit, not for my sake, but so God is made more famous! The wonderful part of the Holy Spirit, is that he wants all the credit to go to Jesus.
What would our communities look like if we lived each day by being attentive and listening to the Holy Spirit? Would a lot more people skeptical of the church, see that the church is being active and loving because the Holy Spirit is leading us in radical ways?
I'm sure glad that the Holy Spirit has come!
