Click here for a message from the Pastor of Outreach.
A few years ago when I was serving as the Director of AFFIRM, we were exploring a title for the time each morning when we would gather as a total community to set the theme for the day and wake up (AFFIRM is a high energy youth event and waking up is always hard to do). I suggested, and we used for a couple of years, HA RU-AH. In Hebrew it means “breath” or “wind”. It is also the word we use for the Holy Spirit.
Lutherans don’t spend a lot of time talking about the Holy Spirit. Oh, we give the Spirit a knowing nod during the creeds and fill the church with red on Pentecost. We talk more often to God the Father in prayer; praising, seeking protection, and daily needs. We talk a lot about God the Son, source of our salvation and Lord of our lives.
This month we celebrate again the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. So, I want us to use this month to build a greater sense of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. After all, Luther said our entire faith and relationship with the Father and the Son is dependant upon the work of the Spirit. He says in his explanation of the third article of the Apostles’ Creed. (On page 1162 of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship. - You might like to see Luther’s Small Catechism in its entirety – back of our new hymnals).
How might the Holy Spirit’s presence take on a deeper reality in your life? How about?
· U Take three deep breaths before you pray.
· U Every third day address your morning prayers to the Spirit, rather than the Father only.
· U End a few prayers with “in the power of the Holy Spirit” instead or in addition to “in the name of Jesus.”
· U Every time you wear red, remember you also put on the Holy Spirit.
· U Write “CEMK” on a little card and post it on your mirror (Called, Enlighten, Make Holy, Keeps) the four task of the Holy Spirit according to Luther.
Remember, just like in life:
No Ha Ru-Ah (breath) = no life
No Ha Ru-Ah (Spirit) = no life.
Grace & Spirit,
Pastor Dale
pastordale_tlc@bellsouth.net
