God's Spirit Works in Many Ways by Judy Gardner

I started studying the book of Acts in February so when I was asked if I would write a blog based on the scripture about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples as they began their ministry, I thought what a coincidence. But now I know the Holy Spirit directed me to study the book of Acts at this time for a reason.

A group of Galileans learned languages of other countries and that is what we are called to do so so can share the gospel around the world.  The Holy Spirit came to give power to preach the gospel and the Holy Spirit will do the same to us. 

Even when atrocities occur in life God pours out his Spirit and provides salvation to all who call out his name.

The Holy Spirit comforts us and intercedes or supports us.  He will reveal the truth to those who believe.  The Comforter will teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance.  Jesus will give us peace.  Others will see God through our lives. 

The Holy Spirit does not lead us away from conflict and suffering but will comfort us wherever the Spirit leads us.  The Spirit is the comforter.  The Spirit is the connectedness with God in all conditions of life.  The comfort is Christ's gentle blessing.  The Spirit strengthens and prepares us for mission.

God's spirit was poured out on me and gave me the strength to take care of my husband Dale who had a debilitating disease that slowly took away all his abilities to do anything as well as care for himself.

          In the beginning of Dale's sickness God sent an angel to me who was able to help me to bear the burdens of what this disease does to people.  This angel's husband had passed away a few years previously of the same disease Dale had.  She shared with me many different things she faced and how she dealt with them and where she got help.  She helped me be ready to deal with many issues that I would not have been able to comprehend and know how to handle.

Hospice workers were also angels sent from God who interceded and gave me respite and time to get away for a few hours so I could continue caring for Dale and make his last months and days the best they could be under the circumstances.

God's Holy Spirit was poured out to me also when I was able to get away for two or three days a couple different times in those last few months.  Dale could no longer stay by himself so I was able to take him to a care facility where the employees took care of him.

My husband passed away in November 2014.  Last fall I received a telephone call from a lady whose husband had recently been diagnosed by his doctor with the same disease Dale had. 

The Holy Spirit was poured out to me and gave me the ability to share with this lady and hopefully make it easier for her to deal with the atrocities this disease brings about.

She told me about a bible study she was part of that was being held at her house so she wouldn't have to leave her husband alone.  For some time I had been thinking of looking for a bible study group.  There are so few in our congregation and some live too far away so we do not have a group that meets.  I asked this lady if I could join there group and she said of course.    

God's Spirit works in many ways.

My Sacred Story by Lavera Wade

My sacred story begins in Omak, WA, when at the age of a few weeks I was baptized by sprinkling.

Infant sprinkling in the Methodist church addresses forgiveness of original sin by God’s grace.

I grew up believing in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I believed I was saved by God’s Grace and that I was baptized.

For me, somewhere along the line I failed to understand that God loved all of his children and that he had the power to carry me through anything.

I could only understand the limited love other misguided people had shown me. When at 14 my family fell apart and my Grandmother passed I concluded that God did not love me.

So I lived my life as if it was all up to me. 

In his book “ Love Wins” Rob Bell talks about his belief that there really is no hell.  I tend to agree with him, I have lived in hell here on earth.
When I came to a point where I no longer had hope of any kind, and I did not believe I could turn to God, the grief was unbearable.

I turned to alcohol because it seemed to give some relief from the pain, but that soon turned on me.
I tried to change but nothing I did worked.  And so I tried to find a way to end my life. 

At the very worst moment in my life God spoke to me and told me I did not have to drink.

I did not at that moment believe anything I believe today about God’s love and power.
 All I knew was God was my only hope and only through him would I have life.

Step 3 of every 12 step program reads:  

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand him. 

As I took this step I was more then afraid that the result could be life as a missionary in Africa or some other result I really did not like the sound of. 
Nothing could have been farther from the truth.  Today I know where ever God takes me in his service, my life though challenging will be filled with Joy in the spirit. 

As the years have gone on I have continued to seek conscious contact with God.
praying only for his will and the power to carry that out.  I continue to struggle with turning every aspect of my life over to God, but when I am successful at trusting God I know peace.

And so I find myself on January 9, 2011 being baptized at the Richland Congregation of the Community of Christ.  The membership requirements of our church do not accept sprinkling as an infant as baptism.  I believed I had been baptized but loved the Community of Christ so was more than happy to comply.

I believe the Holy Spirit has been working in my life all of my life, but on that day I opened my heart and received   the blessing of the Spirit.

This baptism was and is my personal expression of faith in Jesus Christ.
And so I took my first step into a life of discipleship

Like you when you were baptized I promised I would

Welcome the stranger into my life.     

Feed the hungry,               love my enemies,           visit the sick and       imprisoned.

God loves us, He gave His only Son that we might be saved. 

To serve Him in this life until we join Him for eternity, is how I believe we show our Love of God

Why a Donkey?: A Palm Sunday Reflection by Brad A. Martell

What did the people who heard that Jesus was entering into Jerusalem expect to see?  They were accustomed to seeing grand spectacles of Roman generals and politicians processing through the streets of Jerusalem.  The Judean governor, Pontus Pilate, and his soldiers entered Jerusalem from the west, riding on spirited war horses, dressed in armor and shiny helms, beating war drums, and waving legion banners.  It was a show of pomp and power through sword and shield. It was a bludgeoning reminder of Rome’s occupation and rule over Jerusalem and the Jewish people.   

In contrast, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was nothing like this.  The four Gospel stories describe Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey or a colt from the east through the villages of Bethphage and Bethany.  Jesus sent two of his disciples to go and untie the donkey they would find and bring it back to him.  The disciples laid their cloaks on the donkey’s back and helped Jesus get on.  As Jesus rode into Jerusalem people came out to see him.  They spread their cloaks upon the ground before him.  Others had cut leafy branches and spread those upon the road as well.  Shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” filled the air with the waving of more palms as Jesus approached the path down from the Mount of Olives.     

The images found in the stories of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem are even more powerful than Pilates’s parades.  The symbolism of the plain and humble animal Jesus rides depicts the prophecy as told in Zechariah (9.9-10) of a king who comes in peace and humility.  The disciples care and honor for Jesus are expressed in their preparing the donkey and helping him.  The praise and honor are continued through the multitude of people by the laying down of their cloaks and palms as an offering before Jesus.  The waving of the palms and shouts of “Hosanna” symbolize the coming messiah and God’s salvation.  Additionally, the Mount of Olives, although only briefly mentioned in these stories is a significant place for Jesus and his disciples throughout the New Testament and builds upon the stories and prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures.  The Mount of Olives was on route to Jerusalem from the east.  It’s named for the olive groves that once grew upon its slopes.  And we know that an olive branch is used as a symbol of peace. 

The Mount of Olives was a place of refuge and preparation for Jesus and his disciples in many ways.  Not unlike our special places where we have spent time along our Lenten journey to pray and draw closer to God.  The Mount of Olives is where Jesus went often to pray alone and with his disciples.  It is a place where he instructed his disciples about the future and coming peaceable reign of God.  It was where Jesus prayed and asked God for the strength and will to face his coming suffering and crucifixion.  And it was in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter struck a soldier with a sword, Jesus’ rebuke of Peter’s violent action, and Jesus’ healing of the soldier’s wounded ear.  For Jesus and for us the Mount of Olives symbolizes a place of prayer, preparation, humility, healing, and peace. 

So, why a donkey?  Because Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, that we along with Christians from around the world celebrate on Palm Sunday, the sixth Sunday of Lent, and the beginning of Holy Week, is a lesson about humility and peace.  It is not about pride, power, or pomp and circumstance.  It is a lesson that our discipleship be one of embodying the humility and peace of Jesus Christ.     

As you continue on your Lenten journey toward Palm Sunday, how have you experienced the humility and peace of Christ?  How have you shared Christ’s humility, healing, and peace with others?  

Scriptures: Mt 21.1-11; Mk 11.1-10; Lk 19.28-40; Jn 12.12-19 NRSV