25,000 and Counting!

What is 25,000? Several years ago I heard someone discussing Mark Batterson’s book IF. The question of “how many days had each of us lived” was posed. The challenge was to count each day. Online I found a way to calculate my days from birth to a specific date and began to record them in my devotional journal. That was some years ago, but on September 23, 2023, I hit 25,000 days! 

The challenge had been to evaluate our days for purpose. Each time I wrote the total number of days I had been given, I became more aware of what I had done with each of these days, or often not done. Over these many years of living, I have wasted more time than I care to admit but have also known days and seasons of waiting for God’s leading on what would be next or what decision to make. I have also celebrated many of the days, celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations, births of children, friendships both new and old, and achievements, mine and others. While we prefer not to think about dark times, there have been days that felt hopeless, endless, and uncertain. I have grieved for others’ losses as well as my own. My timeline also finds days of service and sacrifice, obedience and obstinance, revival and remorse, faithfulness and failures. We are each full of such days.

 

Quite unplanned, my 25,000^th day fell on my 50^th High School Reunion! I grew up in a small town in Northeast Mississippi, and most all of my classmates and I started first grade together, then graduated together. Additional blessings entered the mix as new classmates trickled into our group over the years, and they just seem to be part of the original group. We had a moment of memorial for 27 of our classmates who have died, each name read aloud. Tears and heartfelt memories prevailed during this part, each of us remembering precious times together. We were challenged in a devotion by our beloved classmate “Hule” - now Reverend - to remember them, but we also must remember Christ, remember our living alongside Him, and ask how our own reunion with God will be. Thirty-three of us stood for a group photo, all having lived at least 68 years, living through joys and losses, with health and diseases, celebrating successes and enduring disappointments, retelling the best memories and sharing the now. Laughter was loud. Legend and legacy stood shoulder to shoulder. From these folks, some of the next generation and the next have entered this world, hopefully to make the world a better place, to be a light to others.

 

Batterson suggests that counting our days is like “counting the possibilities” of our lives. The opportunities we have every day to make a positive impact for Christ in this world is countless. He writes, “The possibilities of your life are limitless.” If we seek God, He will show us more possibilities than we can imagine. Find your God-given passion and purpose and act! I remain more than grateful to God’s generosity to me - 25,000 days and counting! To God be the Glory in all that we do in service for Him. -dho

 

** I confess to not having read IF, but I will say my favorite Batterson book is Whisper, How to Hear the Voice of God. I recommend it. I wrote a Summer Series on my blog in 2019 about this book (June 13, 2019-September 5, 2019). Can search the blog by “2019 Summer Series” or go to the 2019 index.

Grace Falls Gently

 God always pours His grace into empty hands. ~St. Augustine

I sometimes find my hands too full, holding all the moments that charm me, claim me, constrain me, conceal me. Sometimes I hold to them in fear that I will lose them or not find them again. Then, sometimes I hold to them in joy for the same reasons. Either way, I hold to them tightly, hands full! Only when I lay them at the altar, in confession or with celebration, can I open my hands to the Holy Father. The vivid imagery that comes to my mind is kneeling with my hands empty, palms up, and knowing His grace falls gently to me. Holy Father, may I know Your Glory in all the moments. ~ dho

To God be the Glory

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! In honor of Thomas, my nephew, I want to post a memory of his journey in 2011. When a child has cancer, the whole family walks the days of uncertainty together. Take a moment to remember the 47 children who have been diagnosed with cancer today! Remember their families!  

When you think life is going along as expected, just wait! It won't be long before there will come some interruption ~ usually unexpected. When I look back, I can often find that God has been preparing my heart in my devotional and prayer time. Such has been my experience again. 

Six days after my last blog entry, the world seemed to stop for a few minutes; my breath seemed too thick to move in and out of my lungs as I heard, "Thomas has a brain tumor." Thomas is my 9 year old nephew, the only child of my only sister. Surgery followed two days later to remove as much of the tumor as possible. An estimated 90-95% of the malignant tumor was removed. Now we are just beginning 30 daily radiation treatments. 

Everything in between what used to be and what is now ~ just happened! Some call such situations disasters, tragedies, unfortunate. Truly this is something that none of us would have chosen, yet it brings new dimension to our faith. This difficult circumstance that we did not choose brings us to our knees before God in a way that nothing but tragedy can. We seek the God of miracles! We praise the God All-knowing! We trust the God of Healing and Wisdom! We move forward only with God! God is our Refuge and our Protection. As so often our prayers remind . . . It is hard for our human hearts to imagine but God loves you,Thomas, MORE than any of us! To God be the Glory!

pray with us ~ 
God of miracle-wonders, 
God of well-thought-out-plans ~
His cloud-brightness burst through a grand 
comet of fireworks. Then God thundered out 
of heaven; the High God gave a great shout. 
We have seen You ~ the Light in our darkness. 
We have felt You ~ the Power in our weakness. 
We have heard You ~ the Voice in the chaos. 
We celebrate You! We praise You! We rest in 
the mountaintop refuge, safe.
Love Most High, in all times You are our 
shield of protection! You rescue us, touch us, 
heal us, lead us forward.
For such love, words search but find no escape, 
captives of mediocrity. 
God, make my life complete as we place all 
the pieces before You. 
Hear the deepest, wordless prayers of our hearts. Amen. ~ dho 

[Scripture from Psalm 18 ~ The Message]

You can follow this amazing God-journey that Thomas is making at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/ThomasMcGirr

**previously posted on this blog/2011/DonnaOswalt

Miracles

I happened upon this today on the FaceBook page for “Poetry Ireland”. The words below are not mine but so well said; they moved me, and I had to share! I love when I hear a familiar story but told from a different perspective, and I glean fresh, unrevealed insights. Most of us know this Biblical account of these friends being so determined to find a way to bring their sick friend to Jesus, to take the extraordinary efforts to cut a hole in the roof, and to lower the friend down to Jesus in hope of healing. The story does recognize their efforts but quickly the miracle of healing takes center stage. And, this is good. But this poem reminds us that without this kind of friendship, the sick friend would have likely missed Jesus, missed the healing. 

While the healing of this man is truly a miracle that stands alone, perhaps the steadfastness and faithfulness of his friends is also a miracle. In today’s world, most of us have few folks that would journey to extraordinary lengths for us. Some stop by or check in, but few rarely walk beside us for long, especially in difficult times. If you have friends who take the extraordinary journey with you, as Seamus writes those ones who had known him all along, be thankful for this divine miracle! God’s goodness provides for us in so many ways, sometimes it’s in healing and sometimes it’s in friendship. Look around your community and become this blessing for others! - dho

“Miracle by Seamus Heaney is our poem of the day, in which he celebrates the value of community and the blessing of friendship as much as the story of a miraculous healing. We, at Poetry Ireland fondly remember the poet and Nobel Laureate on his anniversary, as a great friend to us and to the world of Irish Poetry. One of Ireland's greatest artists who painted our lives, stories and mythologies in word and sound.” - copied from “Poetry Ireland”

That’s Enough

 Thank GOD because he’s good, because his love never quits! Psalm 118:1

Summer is winding down, the last hot days of August cause a scramble to swim in her warm waters a few more times. Routine is already marching in and changing the order of our days. Fall is coming, school is starting, and the easy days of picking blueberries, and building sandcastles begin to fade. The best news is that GOD is a God for all seasons! 

This summer I have enjoyed traveling abroad with family and friends and loved spending time with my granddaughter. Her sweet snuggles and silly giggles and pool splashes will remain with me long after this season ends. The many sights and adventures in other lands continue to bring beauty and mystery to my mind. We can never learn everything, never visit all the wonders of God’s world, never count all the joy of times together. Why? Because there is always more!

A newer Contemporary Christian song I heard a few months back reminds me to be thank-full and joy-full and wonder-full in the now, in the moments. It’s short, simple chorus tells a great truth about God’s love:  “I am here! I am loved! God is good, and that’s enough!” Well, I agree! THAT”S ENOUGH for me, too! -dho

The LIVING Word!

Throw-Back-Thursday (#TBT) popularity on social media wanes, constantly replaced by various new #’s, but it is still fun to remember. Along with its hash tags, pictures of yester-year would dance across out computer screens, mobile phones, and tablets. Frequently the hair styles and clothing reveal the era. We laugh, usually, or moan, sometimes. When I open my #TBT Bible, my name is written on the inside cover. Back in the day, unlike now, few versions of the Bible were available. "The Living Bible" broke the rules by using current vernacular, much the way we appreciate The Message today. The words and the order of the words sounded friendly, more familiar to the ear. The Living Bible with its padded green color, while popular with teenagers, did not thrill the adults. Whatever your thoughts or preferences are about various translations and transliterations of the Holy Bible, I believe God always uses His words to inspire, to convict, to reveal His Goodness and Grace.

#TBT High School, 1973

Reading today from Romans in The Living Bible, God's word tells it straight. Listen to some of the verses from Chapter 12: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves...we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. And further down, Don't just pretend that you love others; really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. These very valuable words remind us our connectedness in Christian community. These words are not just for #TBT!

Life is messy! We wait, longing for time to pass more quickly then hurry to what is next. Hurt and disappointment become friends we wish we didn't know. Doubt shouts! Hypocrisy mocks! But, God always sees the bigger picture, sees beyond what our minds cannot understand. Using my #TBT Bible, I find these words: Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. (Romans 12:12) 

I did not read other translations or search commentaries, did not research Greek origins of the words or look at cross references (none in the #TBT Bible). I simply let my prayer echo His inspired words: With a grateful heart, God, I trust You are planning something good for me. In times of trouble, help me be patient. You show me how to love others, truly love them. Give me a boldness to stand on the side of good with love. Every moment of every day, my prayers rising to You, spending time with You ~ listening, resting, waiting, learning, loving. Amen! ~dho

Piece by Piece by Peace

To choose life is to love the LORD your God, obey Him and stay close to Him. He is your life... Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid... don't be frightened, because the LORD your God will go with you.  He will not leave you or forget you...The LORD himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Don't be afraid and don't worry.  

Deuteronomy 30:20, 31:6,8 NCV

On our knees…

We speak the Hebrew word Yahweh because it is Your covenant name, and we have study Your promises to the descendants of Abraham.  The ancient words recorded centuries before tell the story of humankind and all its frailties.  Words translated from Hebrew tell of Moses and his obedience, tell how You always went before them, preparing the way.   

We call, LORD, because there are promises for us.  The ancient words tell a living story of love and sacrifice and redemption; they tell of a new covenant ~ Christ.  We choose life!  Now, as then, You go before us, preparing the way.

We whisper, Adonai, for You are Lord; You are Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  You are both hope and light. Your Spirit dwells within us. Lord, only through You can we be strong and brave. We long to firmly embrace You. The world entices us, even when we try to draw near to You. Sometimes our journey is not clear, the path uneven, our steps uncertain. 

When we cannot see, help us remember the ancient words, the living words: The LORD himself will go before you. You are the Promise that chooses us; You are the Love that embraces us. Lord, hear our simple prayers.  Amen. ~dho

** previously posted on this blog October/2013/DonnaOswalt

Awesome Deeds!

Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

 from Psalm 65:1, 4-8(NASB, The Message)

Silence is praise to You, [Jerusalem-dwelling] God, and also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all. . .

How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your [holy of holies].

We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.

By awesome deeds You answer us in

righteousness, O God of our salvation,

Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer

Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,

Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash . . .

Dawn and dusk take turns calling, "Come and worship."

Earth-Tamer,

You have created infinite opportunity for my soul to praise Your holiness and majesty. You teach me perspective and humility with the greatness of simplicity.

Ocean-Pourer,

You renew my life with steams of righteousness, always leading to rivers of goodness, and oceans of more. You teach me the Source of power.

Mountain-Maker,

You let me stand in high places, knowing blessings beyond need. You teach me the wonder of holiness and glory.

Hill-Dresser,

You decorate the landscape with beauty that escapes description. You teach me the joy of details.

Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,

You tame the turmoil inside my soul with repose. You teach me the peace of grace. I, too, come and worship at dawn and dusk and moments in between. For such Perfect Love brings me to my knees where I offer wordless soul songs of praise to You. Amen. ~ dho

Beauty in the Breaking

"I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places - firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past..." Isaiah 58:11-12 The Message

Nicole Nordeman's song The Unmaking, reminds us that within our disappointments, failures, vain efforts, difficult decisions, and circumstances beyond our understanding God meets us. She writes, God wanted to sit with me in the silence and the dust, after the wrecking ball, and put His arms around me for a while. Nordeman says God wasn't asking for a new plan of action; rather, "He asked for my vulnerability." 

God desires that we turn to Him, seek His Presence, and allow Him to comfort us! In the mess, the muck, the middle of the ruins of lost hope and broken dreams God is waiting. He always finds us in our need. Nordeman writes, the rubble is where we have to start. Listen to this beautiful song of sifting through the debris, defining an ending, seeing the hope in a new beginning. Listen to the open, sincere whispers of the heart, What happens now?...What happens next when all of you is all that's left?...This is the unmaking, beauty in the breaking...sitting in the rubble... ~dho

https://youtu.be/OCqjE8pYa_E  -[Link to “The Unmaking” by Nicole Nordeman]

Journey Notes!

 Since 2005 I have consistently kept a devotional-prayer journal. It is small enough to easily take with me and fits inside a Bible. I do not necessarily write in it every day, but most days I do. Scripture, random ideas, new words, and meanings of words often find their way to the pages. Excerpts from articles, books, or commentaries that move me are also written or attached within the pages. On the right margin I make notes of prayer requests and sometimes the pages are flagged as ongoing prayer requests come to me. This journal reminds me and gives me a place to make notes of specific needs, spiritual enrichment, and often supernatural outcomes. God is good!

There is one unique entry I always include on the first page of each notebook ~ I make a journey note of a Scripture that defines where I am spiritually when I start the notebook. I often discover this to be way the Spirit leads me during this phase of my journey with Him. Occasionally, I also write a quote or excerpt from a commentary that speaks to His Word. When the book is complete, when no more empty pages remain, I mark the front with the beginning and ending dates and begin another. Looking back I can always find a richness of God's teaching, wisdom, and leading along with a deeper understanding of my struggles, successes, and relationship with God. Sometimes, the very circumstances that brought me the most discomfort reveal my most intimate times of spiritual growth with God. 

My current journal note is this Scripture from Ecclesiastes, a favorite book of mine. Reminding me to enjoy the fruits of my labor, the goodness of God. Both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy comes from God, the giver of all good things. In the last few months I have had unexpected opportunities to travel, spend time with family, and enjoy the bounty God has provided. These moments, as they come, are to be treasured. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now!” Lord, remind me to be present in the moments, to be thankful for what You give, to enjoy the gifts You give! - dho

God’s Majesty!

The LORD looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men;

From His dwelling place He looks out

On all the inhabitants of the earth,

He who fashions the hearts of them all,

He who understands all their works. Psalm 33:13-15

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You. 

Psalm 33:20-22

Liberty, The Fruit of Life

 America the Beautiful, original words 1893:

"...America! America! God shed His grace on thee, 
Till selfish gain no longer stain,
The banner of the free!"

By 1911, the words changed:
"...Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine."

Let's help America keep the perspective of selfless-ness over noble success, and not let any gain rise higher than freedom and liberty. As Americans, we value liberty but struggle with its power. This liberty allows us the freedom to choose our own interests and create our personal agendas and claim our individual beliefs. With freedom comes responsibility, the responsibility to respect others with whom we differ, to respect each other as people.

In the New Testament, James writes, "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of Liberty." For Christians, this 'law of Liberty' is the Perfect Law of Christ, faithful and true. James goes on to remind us, "For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time." As Christians, we are to be kind to others! Kindness personifies liberty. Let our kindness show others the soul-liberty we know through the grace of Christ. And on this day we celebrate America's Independence Day let our prayer be, "...God shed Your grace on me, and crown Your good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea." -dho

*Scripture James 2:12-13 (The Message)

** Previously posted on this blog dho/July 4, 2016

The Lemonade Stand

We all need some positive and uplifting thoughts and stories to remind us of God’s goodness and simple joys. It’s that time of year when kids set up homemade lemonade stands! I think, if possible, you should always stop and buy a cup of innocence and hope and entrepreneurship. The smiles they return will be pure bonus! Below you will find a sweet and not-so-usual story of my nephew’s lemonade stand. 

Designed in the spring of 2009, seven year old Thomas drew his plans for his idea. Together, Thomas and his dad built his design the summer of 2009, with Thomas doing all the painting and lettering. This Lemonade Stand served countless everyday boys and girls, moms and dads, strangers and friends, police officers and sheriffs and soldiers, and probably a few dogs. It proudly stood summer after summer on the side of the road just off Main Street in Raeford, NC and spent the winters just off ‘Me’s Road‘ (in the back yard!).

Not many can claim such distinctions, but this Lemonade Stand has been in a parade, traveled to fundraising events, appeared in several newspaper articles, and raised money for child development and a church’s new building, along with bringing awareness to Childhood Cancer and celebrating God’s healing! Even after several updates and fresh coats of varnish, sadly, its time came to an end. Immeasurable memories remain, and the ordinary days of selling lemonade will always echo a time to dream, a time to plan, a time to build, a time of simplicity, a time of purpose, a time of joy, a time of innocence, a time of moving forward… dho

Thomas, an Eagle Scout and High School Honor graduate, is now a senior at Appalachian State University. A Brain Cancer survivor since 2011, he continues to have annual Brain MRI’s (for life) at Duke, but currently he continues to be cancer free! To God be the Glory! 

** previously posted on this blog - Donna Oswalt

One Thing

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4

The world rumbles with distractions and disappointments and gives voice to self-focused agendas. Desire for approval and applause comes from every direction. More replaces need. In the chaos of so many possibilities, our ability to discern God's voice diminishes. Our minds become numb, and our deeds become rote. How do Christians live in the world and in God's presence?

The presence of God must become my dwelling place, the one thing, my heart's greatest desire. To dwell in God's presence brings peace even in troubled times, gives assurance in uncertain times, offers hope in all times. To "meditate" is to be in "constant communion". Without listening in prayer for His voice or being in study and contemplation of His word, we do not see God's beauty and overlook God's faithfulness.

This verse in Psalms reminds me of where I need to stay ~ in constant communion, to dwell in God's presence. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13 that while he has not achieved complete success, "one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead." Reaching forward toward God's call through Christ is the goal. Paul's words give voice to my efforts, my striving toward the goal, even when I fall short.

LORD, my soul needs constant communion with You. Help me nurture our relationship that I may dwell in Your Presence all the days of my life, to behold Yourbeauty and to meditate in Your Dwelling Place. ~dho

Sign-post People

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 

Travel Group Ireland/London 2023

  

Expected and unexpected people, the sign-post people God allows to cross our paths, influence our journey. From parents to adults-like-parents, siblings to friends of siblings, school teachers and Sunday School teachers, friends and almost-friends, either brief or lasting, historical or current, God uses these encounters to speak to our lives.

God speaks regularly to us through the people who speak to us about the things of God. Henri Nouwen, Discernment

How frequently we forget or dismiss or overlook our many God-appointments; these are the people God sends with words of encouragement, applause for effort, signposts pointing to truth, reminders of His presence, hugs for tears. In his book Whisper, Mark Batterson writes, “Part of the genius of Jesus was His ability to see potential in unlikely places and unlikely people.”(Whisper; p140)

Sign-post people offer new perspectives, ask different questions, and suggest other options. Sometimes they bring opportunities for us, like a chance to give more, to step outside ourselves, to sense another's loneliness, to hear a deeper need, to respond like Christ. God embraces us with love and encouragement but also has designed us for purpose - His purpose. God asks us to take our God-given talents, to reach out into the world, to share Jesus. 

Whether the sign-post marks the way with a stranger or friend, lasts for a season or a lifetime, comes full of mystery or simply as a reminder, God is speaking to you and me. Could it be a completely new direction, a familiar path with a new attitude, a change of location, a closer connection within a current community, a new passion, or renewed passion? "No one is in your life by accident; everyone is there by divine appointment.” (Whisper; p142) Are we listening? Let's not miss our sign-post people! ~dho

New Perspectives from Old Stones

 “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”  William Butler Yeats

In this Irish whirl wind of landscapes that linger, there is much to tease our senses. Too many to list, in fact! Nature’s pictures defy the lens. God’s grand design that has evolved through the ages still mystifies the soul as to how and why! We each stand in the grandeur and whisper prayers of glory to God. 

Ancient temples and cathedrals cause my breaths to grow quiet and still with reverence. These sacred stones surround us. I find my soul at peace, knowing God’s plans are His, never failing; His story is told through the centuries of time. To God be the Glory! Amen. dho

Irish Thoughts

 “Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sands, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a joy for all seasons, a possession for all eternity.”  Oscar Wilde

This is Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. With a rich history dating back to Medieval times and Anglican worship traditions, its multiple, beautiful stain glass windows give the soul pause. The artistry of carved wooden choir rows and and an enormous pipe organ above the choir, with someone actually playing live organ music, test the imagination. Handel first performed his masterful composition of “Handel’s Messiah” right where I stood. Catacombs and stories, magnificent tapestries and historical documents like a copy of the Magna Carta fill all the corners. Such a beautiful place of worship. How many prayers have been lifted and how much Scripture has been read and who could begin to count the incalculable music notes played, all stand in reverence without answers. To God be the Glory! This beautiful place touched my soul! -dho

Preparing for Pentecost - Part 3

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them.” Acts 2:1-4 NCV

On April 9th this year, we celebrated Easter. After this, we often just go about our days participating in the end of school events and recitals, with preparations for summer trips and Vacation Bible School. This Sunday, May 28th, is Pentecost Sunday, the day most liturgical Christian churches celebrate of the Holy Spirit coming to be with those who follow Jesus. 

Jewish history recounts that the curtains in the Temple that separate the Most Holy Place would sometimes move and describes this phenomenon as Rauch HaKodesh, a Hebrew phrase meaning “Breath of the Holies”. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people understand the Holy Spirit to be God’s influence over humanity and the universe. In Psalm 51:11 David pleads with God, “Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.” God always desires to dwell in the presence of His people.

After Jesus ascends back to heaven, as promised, the Holy Spirit descends to His followers. The Holy Spirit is the Helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. Now, Jesus sits at the right hand of God, and the Holy Spirit becomes God’s Presence with us. 

Holy Spirit, come alongside of me and breathe holy life into my thoughts, my purpose, my service. In You I know the presence of the Lord. Holy Wind, embrace me, encourage me, empower me. Count me alive in Christ. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. 

-dho 

** Pentecost Sunday is May 28, 2023

Preparing for Pentecost - Part 2

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 languages. Acts 2:1-4 

Many people crowd Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish "Festival of First Fruits" which is 50 days after Passover. The Ten Commandments had been given to Moses 50 days after they had crossed the Red Sea; escaping Egyptian captivity established Passover. The city is full of "Jews from every nation", and as they hear this sound of "a violent wind", the masses of people seem confused because each one hears "their own language being spoken". Amazed and bewildered, we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own languages. 

As promised, the Holy Spirit fills them, flows over them, and they burn with passion for God. Peter explains the prophecy from Isaiah, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people." (Isaiah 44:3) He goes on the tell the Gospel Story of Jesus, Son of God, Messiah for all people. He tells the Greatest Story in history for a broken people, defines a New Covenant to a covenant people, reaches across generations of faith, crosses boundaries of laws. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit to God's people renews His desire to dwell with His people. This fulfillment of God's Promise begins a new era of faith.

You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22). This New Covenant blesses God's people with grace, something the law could never do. The Helper, the Advocate, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Intercessor, the Spirit of Truth - the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and now testifies about Christ. Hundreds of years before, God had revealed himself to the Israelites, writing the Ten Commandments on stone tablets with His own finger, and now at this Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus's resurrection, God writes on the hearts of Believers with the Holy Spirit. From the birth of a nation to the birth of the church, God's redemptive plan is for them, their children, for us, our children, for all! On that day in Jerusalem, about 3,000 believed. - dho

**Pentecost is May 28th this year!

Preparing for Pentecost - Part 1

You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God. John 3:8 (The Message)

Holy Wind

A mighty gust, some gentle breezes,
Either blows wherever it pleases.
In silence passing, roaring through,
Hidden still, this Wind chooses you,

From south to north or west to east,

From weak to strong or more to least,
Invisible, with power to
Break and mend, this Wind comes to you.

Quietly with intense yearning,
The Wind flames a fire burning
Within the soul, consuming dross
That calls repentance to the cross.

From south to north or west to east,
From weak to strong or more to least,
This Perfect Love endures each nail
Which reconciles and rends the veil.

Infinitely bolder than deep,
Broader than wide, higher than steep,
Holy Wind, hold each empty place,
Mend my soul with marvelous Grace. ~dho


Spirit of God,
Despite my sin - resume the call – define my heart!
Delight my mind – assume my sin – design my life!
Ignite the fire - consume the dross - refine my soul!
Invisible and Indescribable and Invincible! Take me now! ~dho

* This year Pentecost is Sunday May 28th.