Spiritual Comfort

John 15:26

"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."

Christ said he would send a "Comforter" to his frightened and struggling disciples when he appeared to them after his resurrection. I've heard the story of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit hundreds of times...days later...the tongues of fire, the speaking in different languages, the heightened understanding of scripture, the revelation of meaning of Christ teachings and the apostles sudden and inexplicable confidence in Christ's deity and physical resurrection. How could unschooled fishermen and physical laborers, after watching their spiritual leader brutally killed only a few days before, suddenly speak in a multitude of old world languages, witness in public and without fear about Jesus' resurrection, speak with the knowledge and authority of learned Rabbis and heal people in front of hundreds of witnesses. Yes, at the time, even the members of the Jewish leadership were left speechless.

Years ago, my mother, a fan of Josh McDowell, would often quote the former atheist turned Christian as stating the sudden shift in the apostle's focus, abilities and courage and the correlation between Old Testament Messianic prophecy and Christ's birth, life and death were what led him to believe Christ was who he said he was and is...the Son of God. Back then, I remember I could understand McDowell's reasoning but felt he was reaching a bit...rationalizing to prove a point and sell books. I declined Mom's offer to read his book.

Interesting... the Holy Spirit does change people. The Holy Spirit does amplify existing gifts for a purpose and give one new spiritual tools when they are needed. The Holy Spirit does open eyes and allow us to see scripture and reality in a new way. The Holy Spirit does give one confidence and assurance that Christ is who he said he is no matter how crazy that may seem and no matter how contradictory the Bible, biblical scholars, teachers and fellow Christians are. No matter what delusions or distractions the forces that exist in opposition to God's Love throw up before us, the Holy Spirit is there for us...the Armor of God and our Comforter. If we choose to listen and let Him work through us, He will protect us and grant us peace even amidst chaos.

Yes, I know without a doubt what happened to the apostles in that upper room on the Day of Pentacost was and is still very real.

Attics and Temples

Fall 1993 From "The World As I Remember It" - Rich Mullins

Re: remodeling an attic apartment Mullins was going to live in…

Sometimes in the heat of the toil of my labor I give in to fits of selfish rage – frustration more over my lack of skill than over my apartment’s progress. But late at night, when I look over the piles of dust and dry wall and knee-deep debris that remains during constructive efforts, I am strangely moved by the place and I proclaim the Gospel to it softly. I say, “I know how it hurts to be torn up”. I am often choked on the litter left by my own remodeling. I know what it’s like to settle (by the grave act of a strong will) into the despair of believing that you are a wasted space. I have felt the blows of heavy hammers that nailed me to a sense of uselessness. I have been shaped by some pretty careless workers who came to the task of making me and lacked any craftsmanship or artistry. I know the pain of wanting to be changed and yet being distrustful of changes; of wanting to be worked on, but being suspicious of the intentions of the Worker. But here is some good news: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. However messy it may be now, however confusing and scary it appears, however endless the task may seem, we will some day be glorious, beautiful, alive! There is much tearing out to do. It’s not good enough to cover up imperfection, it must be corrected. Art, beauty, function – these things take time. They may take ‘til the day of Christ Jesus.

But we are not wasted space, we are temples of a Being greater than ourselves, temples being built to be inhabited and brought to life. Though we may not understand the process, our Rebuilder does. We are His workmanship and the place where He lives. Little attic, do not despair! I’m being made by a Master Carpenter. I’m learning a little about building too.

Walk by Faith

From "The World As I Remember It" - Rich Mullins

We walk by faith and not by sight - not because we are blind, but because faith gives us the courage to face our fears and puts those fears in a context that makes them less frightful. We walk by faith and not by sight because there are places to go that cannot be seen and the scope of our vision is too small for our strides. Faith is not a denial of facts - it is a broadening of focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into a sweetness of sound.