encouragement from someone who has been through the fire

Tag: home

  • Tongues of fire

    Tongues of fire

    It was recently Pentecost across the Christian world. The day that celebrates the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the helper that Jesus promised his disciples, in Acts 1: 5, soon before His ascension into Heaven. “ …John (the Baptist)  baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”  The disciples were instructed to remain in Jerusalem until the Helper arrived. When He did arrive, there was no mistaking that He was from God. There was a sound like a violent wind blowing from Heaven. There were tongues of fire that rested on each one of the disciples, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking to the many people who had gathered from across the known world. Everyone there heard the disciples speak in their own languages. (Acts 2)

    I’ve been taught that the way the Holy Spirit moved on the first Pentecost was a special event for a special time, the beginning of the church, and that the Spirit does not move in such powerful ways anymore. I’m not an expert, and many people could discuss this in a much fuller way than me. But I do believe that the Spirit still moves today. There are healings, deliverances, prophecies, some believers speak in tongues. I’ve had people pray over me for tongues of fire. To be honest inwardly I was like, no, please don’t do that, as I was scared. As I’m getting older I wonder what my life would be like now if I had the bravery to embrace God, and to allow His power to transform me from the inside out back then. I’ve had glimpses and sensations of peace, joy, and power. But mostly I live without grasping these on a regular basis.

    I am getting back to a place of enough trust in the Lord to boldly approach His throne of grace, and ask to be forgiven for doubts, and for straying, from idleness. Mostly I just want to feel home, to feel safe, loved, and useful.

    I need the Holy Spirit for that. We all need Him. In the churches I’ve been to there is more of a focus on God the father, and on Jesus, which of course is fundamental to our faith. But I would love to experience more of the Helper too. Just imagine a holy spirit filled church in today’s world. As I believe is the case in many parts already.

    Come, Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.

  • A whisper in the dark

    Most of the time I don’t know what to type for this blog. I try to write short poems, some rambles. Some things seem to work, most don’t. I pray to be led by the Holy Spirit and ask for words to flow. For something that will bless others, something that will touch a heart or two. This is especially true in the moments that I feel that bits of my story could help someone. Well, that’s what I try for anyway.

    Yet there is usually silence from God. Maybe he has nothing for me just now. Maybe I am not listening right. Maybe this sort of thing takes practice. Whatever the reasons or purposes yet undisclosed, I do feel the need to share something.

    My story is one of great personal and family struggles. Of some very dark moments, some glimmers of hope, some more darkness. Lots of not listening for God’s voice and not looking for help in times of need and distress.

    There have been encounters with all sorts of people, from those who sought to destroy me, and those who showed me unconditional love through pained rebellion. It has not been easy, even when blessings have been bountiful, my attitude and focus has often been on the negatives. I do regret that. I’m working on changing that. But I do know that Jesus is patient, and his forgiveness is always on offer.

    To anyone going through shadows or sadness. To anyone lost in despair or hopelessness. I know what it’s like. I often sink back into it and let the lows take hold. But I have also known the beauty of God’s grace, a voice calling out to me to let Him help and mould me into the man that He made me to be.

    He wants to mould you too, whether you already know Him or not. He doesn’t promise things will be easy. I know that all too well. But the calling is to trust the maker of all, with all you have, and all that He will teach you, as He is gradually teaching me.

    He’s calling you home.