33 Days to Pentecost

Dear Saints,

(I suppose first I should explain why I am now calling these ocassional sends The Blather. I suppose because it is a bit self-effacing. Folks hate self-importance, esp. from a pastor. That header disarms, relaxes, and takes things down a notch. But there is another more important reason: “For the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved It is the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18. That doesn't mean I'll always get it right and people should always agree with me. Those gaps are what iron-sharpening-iron is for. See Proverbs 27:17. Sidebar: That idea is much mentioned but technically speaking it is an extremely rare grace and seldom truly happens. Most are too ungrounded or insecure or self-righteous/scent-marking or even mean to really do it. Anyway, The Blather & 1 Corinthians 1:18 concede spiritual matters always cut in two directions—one’s foolishness is another's faith).

So yesterday I had a podcast pop-up as to why the “sign” gifts (healings, prophecy, various kinds of tongues, etc.) have ceased. This position is called cessationism. I know of only a handful or two of folks that believe this strictly/technically, but there are scores of “functional” cessationists. I'll leave that disconnect for another day.

Anyway, I find most of their arguments observational rather than Biblical, which is funny because their number one argument is called “the sufficiency of Scripture.” I'll leave that for another day.

But the person said something under the banner of being misunderstood that I love-love. He thundered, a let me be clear: ‘No spiritual good ever happens without the Holy Spirit!’ Agreed!!! Would love to have a conversation jumping off from there. I'll leave that for another day (and when that person shows up in my life).

Now I'll get to my point. (I suppose my slow wind-up/pitching motion is another fit regarding The Blather).

Anyway, that idea about nothing spiritually good (& lasting) happening outside of the Holy Spirit was on my mind before I heard the comment. So when I heard it, esp. whom I heard it from, made it a strong confirmation.

Not because of the 50-day waiting period from Resurrection to Pentecost, but somewhere soon after Easter my devotional focus shifted (usually just a couple-few times each year). I started slow-reading Acts and stopping to meditate and pray when the Holy Spirit shows up. I'm reflecting and thinking big picture—just noticing with the grace, unction, anointing, power of the Holy Spirit everything is better.

Will you please join me in “expecting” as we approach the remembrance of Pentecost. I'll leave you with the Scripture I've been praying and the hymn I've been singing today:

“Fill my cup, Lord;

I lift it up Lord;

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.

Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.”

[Fill my cup, fill it up, and overflow!]

—Richard Blanchard (I made the “friendly” addendum in brackets)

“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)

In the risen—indeed—Christ,

tIM