Yes, it is Pentecost. And I'm being liturgically lame today, for which, yes, I do feel a tad guilty. I'll have to deal with that I guess. If you've never heard the Holy Spirit referred to as the Holy Ghos', then it would be hard to explain. It's a Charismatic/Pentecostal thing. Sure, it leans into the black ecclesial culture, of which we were basically a part for about 10 years.
Parts of that whole charismatic period I'm very glad to be away from, and some parts, some of you may be surprised to hear, I miss a little bit sometimes. The cultural mix I miss a good bit. That was one of the best parts of our old church, the black/white mix - a freedom of interracial interaction, no "politically correct" pressure, just life together.
That happened in Jerusalem there that day as well - the fire came down in the midst of an eclectic crew of people. All Jews, yes, but from many nations, languages, cultures. Thus was the Church birthed, as a a truly catholic entity, for all people. Soon there would be trouble as the Jews mixed with the Gentiles, but God called them to account. He still is. The Power and inhabiting Life of God was not given to a Jewish sect, but to the whole world. We're all a part of one another now. OK, that was total Pentecost-ramble there.
- I took Conor and McKenzie to the park today for a while and my fish count went up by one! - Liz and I will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary tomorrow - and no work, cool! - I guess I should mention rest as it's in the tags - today was actually restful, that's good.
"Then, if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike. Herein we cannot possibly do amiss." John Wesley
"Keep your eyes on the crucifix, for Jesus without the cross
is a man without a mission, and the cross without Jesus
is a burden without a reliever." Fulton J. Sheen
"...I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be
completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self." Henri Nouwen