Wind of Change

March is known as the "Windy Month." As a child in grade school we used to recite a nursery rhyme of the months and seasons. I remember singing a tune to the rhyme, "March Winds, April showers bring May flowers."  I also remember making a kite out of a couple of sticks, newspaper and string and running so that the wind would catch my kite. My siblings and I would have hours of fun flying our kites on a windy day. 

Several scripture verses in the bible associate the wind with the Holy Spirit. For example, in his gospel, John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council. In the conversation, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”(John 3:5-8 NIV)  

To experience a "New Birth" in Christ is to have experienced the Holy Spirits work in one’s life. In John chapter 3 Jesus describes the Spirit's work as mysterious like the wind. In other words, there is a mystery about the new birth experience. There may not be a change in one’s appearance, he or she may look the same, but we can see the effects of a spiritual transformation in a person’s character and behavior that is the manifestation of an unseen power.  One who is born of the Spirit is like the wind, we cannot tell its direction or source, yet we can see its effects. Therefore, the life of a regenerated soul is a life that has encountered the "Wind of Change."  

We are halfway through the Lenten Season and Spring is on the horizon. Let us look forward with heartfelt anticipation to growing in the Spirit of God. As we move toward Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter (Resurrection) Sunday, I encourage you to open your heart and soul to the Wind of Change and allow yourself to be revived, renewed and rekindled in Christ our Redeemer.   

 

Jacqueline

Love Is In The Air

February 6th is American Heart Association's 'National Wear Red Day" and of course, February 14 is Valentine's Day. For those two reasons February is widely known as the love month.  However, there are millions of people in the world who find themselves very much alone. For them, love may be in the air, but for them, there is simply no one to love.  Feelings of loneliness can lead to bouts of depression, but if this is how you feel then what can one do?

When life throws the curve ball of loneliness your way, doesn’t catch the ball, or hold on to it. Doing so will may leave you feeling sorry for yourself and, as I've already stated, it can lead you into depression.  Instead of catching it and holding on to it, let it bounce off of you and keep on going. Here are a few suggestions that will help you do just that:

• Be honest with yourself and try to pin-point exactly why you feel so lonely. Ask yourself, "Am I really alone, or am I lonely for a particular person?"
• Flow with your emotions. If you feel like crying go ahead and have a good cry, but then dry your eyes and get over it.
• Never forget you still have yourself to love. Love yourself by taking better care of you. Join an exercise class. Try walking and if you have a pet, take him or her along. Find a hobby. Gardening is very therapeutic. Or, pick back up one you use to do and enjoyed doing it. 

One important thing to remember is this, you are never alone. The Eternal One is ever present with you. It does the heart well to focus on the extravagant love God has for us. Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, talks about the many ways we ignore God by failing to respond to God's love. Chan reminds readers that not only does God love us; God wants to be in relationship with us. I recommend this book to every person who is feeling unloved.  I will close this month’s blog with a prayer from Chan's book. 

 "O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need  for more of your grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O' God  the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing for You; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I many know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, 'Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long." Amen. (Pg. 99)