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My sweet little church choir is preparing a song for Pentecost Sunday (this upcoming Sunday May 31st). The words really touched me and I looked them up to see who wrote them. I thought I’d share the poem with you and give you a little encouragement. Enjoy and happy (early) Pentecost Sunday!
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine
Holy Spirit, Truth divine,
dawn upon this soul of mine;
Breath of God and inward Light
wake my spirit, clear my sight.
Holy Spirit, Love divine,
glow within this heart of mine;
kindle every high desire;
perish self in thy pure fire.
Holy Spirit, Power divine
fill and nerve this will of mine;
by thee may I strongly live,
bravely bear and nobly strive.
Holy Spirit, Right divine,
King within my conscience reign;
be my Lord, and I shall be
firmly bound, forever free.
Holy Spirit, Peace divine,
still this restless heart of mine;
speak to calm this tossing sea,
stayed in thy tranquility.
Holy Spirit, Joy divine,
gladden thou this heart of mine;
in the desert ways I sing,
“Spring, O Well, forever spring.”
Written by: Samuel Longfellow, 1864
Girlie is looking pretty happy in this shot. Can you guess why? I’ll give you three pictures to try and figure it all out.
As you can see she’s learned a new skill. She’s also been trying on her swim suit a few times a day. Fun new tricks!
We’re still having some potty successes and I’m trying to figure out the next step. Because I don’t really have any strong opinions as to what to do next I thought I’d poll you all. So, make your voice heard…because this is oh so important 
Life is full and life is good in the SusQ house. I can open my front windows and smell the amazing scent of lilac bushes. See….life is really good!
We’ve been busy around here ( what else is new!) Erik was gone most of last week at a conference in Virginia, so I played the role of single Mama. I’m about to brag about my rockin’ hubby, so if you hate bragging skip down a bit.
At the conference Erik gave a short talk describing his research and what they’re finding out in their data they’ve collected. After the talk the big wig guy who wrote the text book about Rydberg Atoms (what Erik works on in his lab) talked with Thad, Erik’s adviser. He was very impressed and asked Thad if Erik had a job and if he didn’t he wanted to offer him a post doc position.
Needless to say Erik was very excited to have impressed this guy and it was such a great gift to him to be recognized for his hard work. He’s still putting in some long hours and now has about three weeks to finish writing his thesis. I think this great compliment will stick with him and hopefully help him stay strong until he’s done. The official Erik becomes Dr. Erik day is June 26th.
While the hubby was away being Mr. Genius, I was enjoying a great week here. I went with some of my great friends to the Wisconsin Dells for a girls’ night. We had an amazing suite for the night and then spent the next day shopping the outlets. I actually got myself some clothes and felt really excited about them. YAY for no more too tight uncomfortable clothing!!!
My parents came to visit Thursday through Monday afternoon. My Dad was AWESOME with Girlie and her childcare buddies. My Mom and I started calling it Grandpa Daycare. He not only entertained a very busy almost two year old, but he also watched Simone and Timothy and a few others who joined in some days. He was a huge help. I’m not sure who was having more fun, Girlie or Grandpa.
My Mom and I were very busy Friday and Saturday. I had a garage sale and get this–I sold a ton of stuff and made some money! We managed to sell our guest bed, two couches, four bookshelves and a ton of other smaller items. After the sale we loaded everything that hadn’t sold into the car, and dropped it off at Goodwill. I counted up the mula and I made just over $350!!! I could never have gotten it all priced and sold with out some good friends (Corinna, Lisa and Tracy) and I especially would have been in super stress mode without my Mom helping. She did a lot with the sale, helped with Girlie and helped clean the house for the two showings we had scheduled.
Well, that was my week. A lot more happened last week, including Girlie getting a new bike (great garage sale find), the hubby and I getting a nice night out and we got some nice time in together as a family.
The next few weeks will be busy as Erik keeps working crazy hours trying to finish his thesis, we start playing with our summer frisbee league team Huck Foo, we keep trying to sell our house and maybe? lower our price, we await the arrival of our little nephew Daniel who as of today is a week overdue, and Girlie turns two!
A lot to be excited about and much to give thanks for!
I’ll try to keep you all updated and maybe once in a while throw in a post about something deep and thoughtful–we shall see!
Girlie holding Grandma Jane’s hand. My Grandpa pushing the wheelchair.
Girlie pushing her Great Great Grandma Georgia’s (the original Girlie) wheelchair while my Grandpa Ron told the other residents that the place has been hiring young nurses these days
Erik’s Grandpa Brekke and cousin Conrad. We went to visit Conrad and wife Carolie who were visiting from Japan! It was a great visit and we were so happy to see them
I left my hair crazy curly throughout the weekend and my mom-in-law, Jo, had her hair not only flat-ironed by yours truly but CUT. Yes, I said cut! I can’t believe I gave her a haircut and it didn’t look too horrible
And, finally, a picture of my silly little girl taking her shoes off. I think she’s the next Carrie Bradshaw as she’s become obsessed with shoes! All weekend long she paraded one pair after another for the Grandparents. Whoa. I was just thinking of how much it would total for a lifetime of shoes for a shoe-a-holic. That’s a scary thought.
The Bible passage below in italics (Acts 8:26-40) has been on my mind this week. Our pastor preached on this text Sunday and after hearing the scripture I had some things I was thinking about that I decided I’d share! Lucky, you
For starters, wow, this seems so simple. Right? Ethiopian is confused, he’s taught by the apostle Philip, believes, is baptized, and chooses to follow Christ. Done and done.
Really makes me wish it was this simple to share what you believe with someone else. Can you imagine?
I think what I took away from this is that in some situations it’s easy for you to share what you believe, but there are other times you have to think a bit more. Either way, the Holy Spirit can work through you to bring the Gospel to those who do not know it. Philip’s story sure is a boost of confidence to fellow believers, huh.
I’m always aware that sharing my faith may be as simple as showing it through my actions. How can you show it? Through helping a friend, praying for others, smiling at a stranger, helping the less fortunate, not being ashamed to profess your faith, giving to a homeless person on the corner, teaching your children what you believe, tell others about your faith, and so on and so on.
I’m not in favor of shoving it down someone’s throat, making them feel guilty, ashamed or fearful. It’s called the GOOD NEWS for a reason. This is amazing, wonderful, joyful news that is to be shared!
I think it would be so amazing to have an experience where you find a seeking person, help them to understand what the scriptures are saying and support them in their faith. All in a day. Wow.
I don’t see myself having a moment like Philip did. I see myself as planting a small seed. Maybe I’ll be able to plant a lot of little seeds and with the help of other “planters” a person will come to a big decision and choose to follow Christ. But, then again, you never know who might come into your life. I could be writing some day to tell you all about one amazing day I had.
There’s my two cents on this passage. I obviously am not a preacher, but I do like to share my thoughts with you. I guess I’ll leave you with these questions that hopefully you’ll answer for me. Please? Take pity on me. I just got back from the dentist and I have to go back again in a few weeks for round two! Okay, now that I’ve guilted you all into answering the questions, here they are
#1: If you’re a believer in Christ, how have you shared the Gospel. What’s your favorite moment or story? Do you have a certain way you like to tell someone about your faith?
#2: If you are new to this whole hearing about God thing, how can someone approach you with the Gospel without offending you. Is there something that’s happened that’s turned you away from wanting to know more or is there something that’s helped you understand more. Or maybe you’ve researched enough and made your decision?
And, please, oh please readers, COMMENT. You can even be anonymous if it makes you feel better and more willing to share. I really am curious about the experiences you’ve had. Thanks, readers!!
Acts 8:26-40 (New International Version)
Philip and the Ethiopian
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31″How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]
34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
