The earth has turned. I took a walk tonight near a pond down the path from my house. I took this shot of a sycamore tree that was on the edge of the pond. The clouds were low at the sunset. But the angle of the sun showed me that the summer is indeed over. As I stood there, the wind was blowing through some beech trees nearby. They made a very characteristic sound. It made me think of the scripture in John that says "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
It also reminded me of something that Cornelia told me one of her Bible school professors told her class about the movement of the Holy Spirit -- you can't make the wind blow by shaking the trees.
Sometimes in charismatic circles it seems like we think that if we do the right things, act in the right way, and do the right magical formula, then the Holy Spirit will do what we want Him to. Can I tell you that is not faith; it is witchcraft. We are trying to manipulate God when we do that.
One Sunday, our youth pastor was preaching and told us that faith is not us getting God to do what we want to do but our response to what He is doing. Acting like that leaves God in charge and allows us to be like the trees tonight -- bending to the will of the pneuma, the wind of God.
1 comment:
Awesome pictures David. I too have seen evidence of summer's end. Some may feel a sense of sadness, but I love the fall/winter seasons. It always represents a time of reflection for me as we settle in for the cold and anticipate the beginning of a new year. I also love pumpkins, fall colors and the smell in the air.
I agree that there are many charismatic churches that place too much emphasis on the "name it and claim it" type of faith. a damaging and misleading form of ministry. One reason I feel that apologetics are so neccessary. God's will cannot be coerced, and His will will always win out. Thank God!!!!!
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