Her words landed on my screen, “I don’t know how people do life without Jesus.” My eyes filled with tears of gratitude as I absorbed the truth of her observation. I knew in the depths of my being what an absolute wreck I’d be without Him holding and helping me. Jesus told us…“you will receiveContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Power"
Holy Spirit: Our Strength
In the midst of life’s most recent overwhelm, I fought the temptation to grasp for control. Even as I wrestled with feelings of needing to do more, Holy Spirit once again brought to mind the opening stanza to the hymn, “Jesus Paid It All:” “I hear the Savior say,‘Thy strength indeed is smallChild of weakness,Continue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Strength"
Holy Spirit: Our Advocate
I hear the word ‘advocate’ and I think of merciful people who come alongside a child in need of help navigating the court and public health systems they’ve been thrown into. I think of public defenders who take-on cases for people who cannot represent themselves effectively in a court of law. These defenders stand beforeContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Advocate"
Holy Spirit: Our Love
The outpouring of the Spirit flooded the room as women of every age made their way to the altar to pray, repent, receive grace upon grace. Each woman going forward shared a common trauma and tragedy. Each held deep wounds, regrets, shame. Yet in that holy space, they removed their masks and revealed their truestContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Love"
Holy Spirit: Our Truth
Jesus opens His famous Sermon on the Mount with ten ‘blessings’, known as ‘The Beatitudes’. And number one on His list is spiritual poverty – the willingness to admit, most humbly, our need for God and His grace. Some have called this the foundational virtue that makes way for all of the other blessings andContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Truth"
Holy Spirit: Our Seal
Authenticity. In a world where imitations make an appearance in every arena of life, we rely heavily on ways to prove authenticity. A legal document, for instance, has the stamp and signature of a notary. A marriage license or birth certificate has the embossed seal of the issuing agency. A well-bred dog comes with documentsContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Seal"
Holy Spirit: Our Friend
As independent as we are, no one operates best by themselves all the time. We need people. In fact, we are hard-wired for community by the One who dwells in eternal community. And when we’re most honest with ourselves, we embrace our need for an intimate friend, one who will come alongside us through allContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Our Friend"
Holy Spirit: River of Life
Sometimes, Holy Spirit ‘falls’ on believers, like “showers of blessing to refresh” our souls (Acts 3:19-20 MSG). Or He falls like rain in response to true faith – like that of Cornelius and his household as Peter shared the gospel (Acts 10:44 NLT). In this way, Holy Spirit washes, renews, and restores, bringing new lifeContinue reading "Holy Spirit: River of Life"
Holy Spirit: Fiery Presence
The property our house sits on is full of trees, the beauty of which drew us in the moment we set eyes on them. Tall, sky-reaching pines and hardwoods – never have we had such grandeur right out our back door. Well, it turns out these beauties shed branches as a year passes, so myContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Fiery Presence"
Holy Spirit: Breath of God
For every single one of us, there comes a moment at some point in our lives that we experience something so deeply, so profoundly that we are marked by it, yet when we try to describe it to a friend, words fail. When we attempt to convey all our emotions and thoughts of that specialContinue reading "Holy Spirit: Breath of God"