Over the course of the last couple of months... ok several months... I have been busy at work and doing volunteer work for the church as well. I am trying to stay occupied as my family has moved back to Iowa. I love where I'm at and love that the Lord has put me in this place for such a time as this. Please pray for me.... I'm getting ready to go on a mission trip to Nepal. We will leave November 4th. Also, I have started to lead a small group called EQUIP. The group continues to grow every week and today is our 3rd meeting! We are learning about the Holy Spirit and Discipleship.
One of the things I learned last week in studying for our small group was so profound, I had to share with you. It's about the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2 the scriptures tells us:
2 1-4 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. (MSG)
Then we see in the Gospels that when Jesus was baptized it says that the Holy Spirit descended "LIKE a dove". Ok so... before we get to the "meat" let me say this... the Scripture does not say, A dove descended on Jesus when He came up out of the water. It also doesn't say, a bird rested on Jesus's head or shoulder when He got baptized. (You know like the pictures, where a pretty white dove, like the kind from a wedding is slowly floating down toward Jesus.) Now... seeing this as I was studying got me thinking... it says LIKE a dove... so... what does a dove look/act like upon descending... let's take a look.
From allaboutbirds.org :
Mourning Doves perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground; their flight is fast and bullet straight. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like laments. When taking off, their wings make a sharp whistling or whinnying.
From http://www.oiseaux-birds.com : (Not a Mourning Dove)
It also performs flight displays, flying up steeply with active and noisy wing beats, and then, gliding down in curved way to a perch with spread wings and tail.
From ncwildlife.org :
The mourning dove’s flight is swift and darting, while the wings make a
whistling sound. The mourning dove has been timed at a flight speed of
30-55 mph.
Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World (again not a Mourning Dove)
By David GibbsThe flight is direct with deep, labored wing-beats.
Do you see the pattern here? The Holy Spirit (I don't believe) came down gently landing on Jesus. Do you remember the Holy Spirit's entrance in Acts 2?? HELLO! That was an event they all saw and felt, and I believe it was the same when Jesus was baptized.
I hear often times people talk about the Holy Spirit being a "gentleman", or a comforter, but I believe there are some times, when the Holy Spirit makes an entrance that is unforgettable and bold. I believe He is our Comforter but I also believe we sometimes take stories in the Bible and make them into a pretty picture. Would it have been an amazing experience to be there at Pentecost or Jesus's baptism? HECK YES!! But I believe it would have been more RADICAL than our finite minds can comprehend!! I'm still mind blown thinking about it... and I know I'm probably not conveying the emotion behind it very well... after all it is a blog... but if you could see my face or hear me talk about it... you'd know... :)
Have a blessed week peeps, and seek to have a Holy Spirit encounter... You never know... a dove-like event may happen! Don't be alarmed if it's not quiet!
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