Time flies, part 2

So the other day I was talking about my watch.  And the flat battery.

Well, it reminded me of an analogy I used once when doing a sermon about the Holy Spirit.

A lady goes to the jeweller, because her watch has stopped.  He takes it, has a look, fiddles around with it, and gives it back.  She asks him, “What did you do?”

“I just changed the battery.” He replies.

“Battery?” she says,  “I didn’t know it had a battery, I’ve been winding it up every day.”

Are we trying to wind ourselves up every day?  Are we trying to do things in our own strength?  God has a battery pack for us.  Are we using it?

Think about it.

Let's get this fire started

I know I have been a little scarce this week; only two posts so far.  In addition to my busy schedule of work and play, I have been planning for Sunday night's service.  I am preaching again (third time lucky) at the 6PM service, and it is more than just a service. 

It's Pentecost.

(cartoon courtesy of Alex at Cake or Death)

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 as the Spirit enabled them

Acts 2:2-4 (New International Version)

2000 years ago the Holy Spirit came on the disciples, and the Christian Church was born. 

Now, 2000 years later, I wonder if we have forgotten Him.  Like when we invite one of the cool kids to our party, and he brings his younger brother with.  We invite Jesus into our hearts, but sometimes we still expect the Holy Spirit to sit quietly in the corner, and not speak unless spoken to.

I am going to be doing things slightly differently at the service, so please pray for us if you get a chance.  I am hoping that once we come out of that church, we can really say we had an experience with the fullness of God.  I am hoping that others are hoping the same thing as well.

The church... for too long has followed Casper, the friendly ghost instead of seeking the fire of the Holy Spirit. We have turned limp at the thought of our own cross; we faint when we think of suffering or sacrifice. Beloved, it is time to embrace the fire of God's Presence. It is the fire that purifies our sacrifice.

Francis Frangipane

Let's get this fire started. 

 

Hokku Biblios - Joel

Next up in the Hokku Biblios series - Joel.

Joel was prophesying on some tough times, comparing GOD's judgment of His people to a plague of locusts. He talks about the coming of a "dark and terrible day of the LORD" However, as with all the Old Testament prophets, he also talks about repentance.

Some of the line from Joel will be familiar to us. "Whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" - Joel 2:32 and of course "I will pour out my Spirit on all men...." (Joel 2:28) is quoted by Peter at Pentecost to explain the workings of the Holy Spirit. (See, he wasn't just making it up as he went along.)

Joel suggested that the Day of the Lord was near for those multitudes in the Valley of Decision.

So what does it tell us?

JOEL
Vale of Decision.
Call on his name and be saved.
His Spirit will pour.

Where I've been

I have been out of town for a few days, as you may have noticed by absence at Sherri's Silly Saturday Photo Contest. Next week it's go time, but for now I just wanted to share with you guys where I was, and what was happening.

I have been assisiting our Youth Pastor for a few weeks with a confirmation preparation course. Now I've never been particularly interested in, or comfortable with, youth ministry. It's just not my thing. So when I was asked last year to assist in drawing up, and possibly presenting the course, I was a little hesitant.

I was asked to think about it by the Youth Pastor, who is a friend of mine. Let's call her Stanley. (Yes, she is a girl. No, her name is not Stanley. I just like to call her that sometimes to annoy her. Okay, let's call her Stanleigh if it will help you.) We had some discussions around it, and she told me how rewarding working with teens can be, and how she had fallen into that area of ministry, and totally loved it.

I was less than convinced.

However after a little soul-searching, and getting whacked in the head with some common sense from God, I agreed. So I helped draw up the course, and assisted with the presentation last year

And it went quite well I think. As a short-term, teaching assignment, type deal. Then Stanleigh asked me to help again this year, and I agreed. After all, it went rather well last year.

So anyway, Stanleigh and I took the youth away for the weekend, to do some teaching and sharing about the Holy Spirit. (A lot like the Alpha Course, if you are familiar with that.)

I was completely blown away. The questions and comments that these guys had were phenomenal. Some of them had a slighly less than perfect understanding of the Holy Spirit, but don't we all?

But when we had an opportunity for individual prayer, it was amazing to see the hunger that some of these guys have for God. The real openness, and depth of genuine emotion. It was really inspiring.

It has been a long time since I have sensed such a real presence, and moving, of the Spirit in a group. It completely exceeded anything I had seen at any similar "adult" meetings.

It was a real eye-opening experience for me. I don't really have a lot of involvement in the youth ministry. I don't spend a lot of time with these young people, so I think maybe I under-estimated them a little. I think maybe I have been missing out on a great opportunity by not spending time with these guys and girls, and learning from them.

Of course I'll never tell that to Stanleigh.