A Clean Basement

Acts 2:2 “Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting… All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” Elaine’s keen sense of smell helped us to identify mould growing in our basement some months ago, and today we finally had some cleaners come with ghostbuster like equipment to go to battle. Basements serve as the physical foundations of our homes, yet often we spend very little time in them. Until quite recently I spent very little time in mine, which is why it got so little circulation of air, which is what caused the mould to grow. Today in prayer I felt God remind me that the Greek word for Spirit in scripture is pnuema, which can also be translated as breath. This is why at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came, it sounded like wind. The picture I got was that God was clearing out the basement of my soul, through my recent inner healing and quiet time sessions. Lord sometimes it doesn’t feel so pleasant visiting places I don’t go often in my past, but when I let your Spirit circulate, all these mouldy spirits go away. I love that. I look forward to a clean basement, and a clean foundation from which to love you more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Heaven on Earth

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Abba Gregory compared life on earth to night, and life in heaven as day. When we bring the kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” what we experience is a transition state much like a beautiful sunrise. Bill Johnson from Bethel Church once talked about how his father died from cancer. His family surrounded his death bed, praying and praising until his very last moment on earth. After his father was declared dead, Pastor Bill continued to worship and thought to himself “in heaven where there is no sickness or death, all of us will be worshipping constantly and it will be amazing. But it is only here on earth that I have the privilege to worship God in the face of death and destruction. It is a unique opportunity on earth to demonstrate that kind of faith, which I know pleases God.” I can’t wait for the daytime of heaven, but I’m beginning to cherish more and more the sunrise of heaven on earth. Lord I thank you for always having the best in store for me. I thank you that you’re opening my eyes to the fact that the best is not just yet to be, but right here in front of me. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Contemplative Life

Matthew 22:37 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

This morning I read about Abba Gregory, one of the early church leaders. He is “one of the truest examples of someone who lived a life of solitude in the midst of people, responsibility and position. He served as Pope for the last 15 years of his life, but always lamented his position and would have gladly renounced it to return to the life of solitude where he fell so madly in love with Jesus.” Abba Gregory separated the spiritual walk into two categories: the “active life” serving others, and the “contemplative life” focused on intimacy with God. He believed that both were good, but that the ultimate foundation was the contemplative. This is why Jesus tells the busybody “gotta hustle and prepare the food for everyone” Martha… that Mary, who simply sits at the feet of Jesus, has chosen “the better way.” Elaine and I plan to give the overwhelming majority of our money away, so work squarely aligns with serving others. But I have found that in seasons where I lack an intimate encounter with God, my serving others through work and ministry burns me out. On the other hand, when I create space for Him, encounter Him, love Him and experience His love, I find great success in serving others (which includes better results at work). Lord, thank you for affirming the foundation of my faith. If I love you with everything I’ve got, loving others comes naturally as an outflow. I pray for greater intimacy with you with each passing day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.