The Joy of the Lord

Joy. So wonderful and free-flowing. Yesterday, I had a day off. It was nice. However, my first impulse was to accomplish a million projects at home. To "do" and not to just"be." I have a day off and I figured I could accomplish so much. Pushing, pushing, always pushing. Pushing is a way of life for me. I'm addicted to adrenaline and I'm always working on something.

The problem is when you live that way, it is real hard to find deeper joy in your life. When you are pushing so hard, you don't really see the beauty around you or the people that are needing your heart. You don't sense the pace God intends for you or the abundant life he desires for you. Joy is something you then battle for on an over-stimulated schedule.

It says in the bible, the "Joy of the Lord is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Maybe the Joy is to just be still or to listen to God's voice for your life. Maybe the Joy is to stop doing and put down your tools, your pen, your mouse, your task list. Maybe the Joy is to stop achieving, stop clicking, and stop trying to please. To start finding and receiving joy.

So, yesterday, I stopped the to-do-list, the never ending weeding in the garden, and found the two younger boys. I decided to delve into some spontaneous joy. "Boys, let's jump into the freezing pool!" I jumped first, then they followed. For the next few hours joy exuded into us as we were splashing, jumping, and laughing in a 65 degree pool. I was pleasantly surprised by this Joy, and that joy from the Lord carried us the rest of the day. That joy, from the Lord, sustains us, and is our strength.

The Well Has Run Dry

Today, the well has run dry. I decided to go back into time to read an older blog post about spiritual dryness and emptiness. (it is below) Have you ever felt like the well is dry inside of you? Today, I'm tired, distracted with little focus and clarity. I am reminded of the desert experiences that so many biblical people had along their journeys. I'm especially reminded of Elijah a days journey into the desert sitting under a broom tree in 1 Kings 19--dried up and worn out. He had just defeated all the prophets of Baal and went from the mountain top to a dried up valley. It is so much like our lives that go from such great mountaintops to such valley deadness.

Elijah says to God in 1 Kings 19:4: "I've had enough Lord..." Been there? Dried up, burnt out, and tired. In this place, Elijah gives his entire being all up to God, and falls asleep. It is in that place that God finds a reservoir of love and mercy to sustain Elijah. He is fed with food and water, and strength for the future. He travels 40 days and 40 nights, and miraculously makes it back up to experience a mountaintop vision with God again. And, God speaks into his heart a new vision that creates a well-spring for his soul.

So, today, I sit, and wait, under my broom tree and will find rest. The dryness is offset by the encouraging sound of rain outside.

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Desert. Wilderness. Dry spot. I’ve spent a lot of time in the desert in my life.

Today I feel like the well has run dry. I don’t feel real creative. I feel tired and a little worn out. I’m trying to muster energy. I’m trying deeper than ever to listen to God.

I think we all go through dry times—desert times. In the Bible, the desert was a wilderness. A dangerous place where animals and wild creatures ran rampant. A dangerous place. A place where you go to God and trust him even deeper. The desert was a place for wandering Jews to be molded by God for 40 years before they entered the promised land. It was also a place of temptation for Jesus who fasted for 40 days as he faced the devil’s empty promises. The desert was the place where John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus as he sat on Jordan River’s banks.

Being molded by God. Temptation to sell out or give up when you are hungry and tired. Preparing the way for God to go even deeper in us and others. Wow, I like that. Maybe the desert isn’t as dry as I thought. Maybe God is preparing a deeper place to take root in us to prepare the way for others. Telling us that faith isn’t always a feeling, but a deeper trust and conviction. That our God is alive even in the deserts of our lives.

It is interesting why I was thinking about the desert, because all of a sudden it is raining like crazy outside.

Taking the lead on this idea of the desert, here are some verses for today:
Matthew 3:1-6 John preparing the way in the desert
Luke 4:1-15 Jesus Tempted in the desert wilderness
Exodus 16:35-17:1 Israel in the desert wilderness 40 years
Psalms 78:40-53 He brought his people out like a flock, he led them like sheep through the desert

What does the Holy Spirit Look Like?

In Acts 1, Jesus ascension happens and he is reunited back with His Father.  He makes a promise that the Holy Spirit will come, and to wait on the Spirit.  So, 120 people spend 10 days waiting and praying for God to move and unleash his power.  That is the heart of the Pentecost Experience: using some ancient waiting intensity and prayer digging deeper into God's promises for us.  Living with an expectation that God's power can transform lives.

So, on Day 3, of the Pentecost Experience, I wonder, what the Holy Spirit looks like? We see images in the bible of tongues of fire, rushing wind, and a dove flying from heaven. But, have you really seen the Spirit alive today? The Gospel verses from John 14:15-21 give us a little window into what the Spirit might look like.  Jesus is saying goodbye to His loved ones in the farewell discourse and assures him they will not be alone.  Another Advocate will come to remain and abide in them.  They have nothing to fear.

This Advocate in greek (Paraclete) is a legal term for one who will defend you, speak on your behalf, and lend you a helping hand. One who will help you and come alongside you and won't ever leave you.  I like that.  A God that will never let you go and is always with you--in your good times and your bad times.  Jesus says another advocate will come.  One that will look a lot like Jesus, abiding in us like Jesus abides in us.  One that will be sent by Jesus to remind us of what Jesus did and taught us how to live as people in the Kingdom of God.

As Dr. David Lose says, "the Spirit is an advocate that looks a whole lot like Jesus."  Makes sense. So, in all reality we have seen the Holy Spirit.  Every time someone stands up for the voiceless or the marginalized.  Any time someone acts like Jesus.  Whenever someone bears Christ's name and love and gives hope.  That is why Jesus says we "know him."  In fact, as Dr. Lose says, the Spirit might look a lot like you, or me or someone who does these things.

The Holy Spirit I've seen and you have seen.  May we reflect this Spirit, abide in it, and pour this power into a broken world.  The world needs to see the Spirit and feel the Spirit and be loved by the Spirit that will never leave them orphaned, abandoned, or without hope.

An Advocate for You...

Have you ever felt alone? Ever felt like you're not connecting in your life with anyone? Felt fear or anticipation that the future is without hope or promise? Like there is no one there to help or walk with you in your dark and scary places?

This weekend's scripture John 14: 15-21 addresses our need for an advocate, a helper, a protector. Jesus is saying goodbye to his disciples in the farewell discourse and says another advocate will be coming. That they will not be orphaned nor left alone. This advocate, or in greek Paraklete, will be your protector, your advocate, a helper that will walk alongside you and give you strength--in your good times and in your bad times.

This advocate is also the Spirit of truth. The Godhead that brings you the truth about your sin, your life, and your need for a savior. A God that will bear witness to you bringing God's light and love in you and through you.

One of the most amazing images of this advocate imagery in the movies is a clip from The Legend of Bagger Vance. It is a story of a washed up golfer name Junah who had experienced the ravages of war on his soul. He is given a chance to represent his home town in the south and play against the legendary golfers in a tournament. Bagger Vance, becomes his caddy (Will Smith), as well as his advocate, helper, and protector of his soul. The best part of the movie is when Junah hits a ball deep into the woods during the tournament and he is given a chance to face his demons head on. Bagger tells him to lay his "burden down" and come "out of the shadows" of his pain and "play the game." The game that was meant to be played since he came into the world, with his "unique and authentic swing."

Bagger says he is not alone, he is there right beside him and been there all along. And, he is given that confidence to start swinging and find the light once again. And, he does. (Here's the link to that powerful clip: Into the Light: the Legend of Bagger Vance.)

May you know that Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, who walks alongside you and is with you always. In your darkness, in your hurts and pains, when you are feeling alone, God is bringing light into your world with love and grace. And, that truth, will set you free.

Pentecost Experience Begin's Today: Ascension Day

What if we actually practiced spiritual disciplines they did in the bible? Would our lives change? What if we took an ancient practice of spending ten days seeking God in our own “Upper Room? What might happen?

You can’t plan Pentecost. However, from the time of Jesus’ ascension, 120 followers of Jesus spent 10 days praying and fasting and seeking God deeply. And Pentecost happened. Miracles happened in Jerusalem and the ancient world was turned upside down.

Are we bold enough to believe that God could turn our world upside down in us and through us, if we practiced a Pentecost Experience? In our church…in our community? Brace yourself…this could be a wild ride! (Believe it or not, the Holy Spirit has been called the “Wild Goose” before!)

Why don't you join me beginning today with the Pentecost Experience?:

*Spend 10 days from May 26 (Ascension Day)-June 5 (Pentecost) fasting, praying, reading scripture, and journaling into God's presence

*Component Number 1: Fasting. Every day either skip a meal, a favorite food, etc
*Component Number 2: Praying. Spend 10 minutes a day in prayer and meditation
*Component Number 3: Reading Scripture. 10 minutes a day reading a portion of scripture
*Component Number 4: Journaling. Find a journal and journal 10 minutes a day. If time send a journal entry to me at bnorsman@saintandrews.org and I'll post it on the blog at http://pentecostexperience.blogspot.com/ or www.noplaceforhishead.org or

Bottom line: 30 minutes a day plus fasting in your own "upper room"

End the "Pentecost Experience" on June 5 with an optional time after 10:30 am worship to debrief your Pentecost Experience in the Atrium Lounge with Pastor Brian Norsman or post your overall experiences at http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Place-for-His-Head/131503566904630

Are you in? Let me know and I will send you a Pentecost Experience packet to your email address. Email me at bnorsman@saintandrews.org or revsailor1@gmail.com or call me at 651.276.1992. You can also use Twittter at http://twitter.com/revsailor1 or facebook at http://www.facebook.com/revsailor1

Blessings on your Pentecost Experience. I pray you are able to dig deeper into God's presence and power these next 10 days.

In His Grip,

Brian Norsman