Love is the most powerful force in the universe. If our motive is love, the outcome is forgiveness, peace and joy.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
"Holy Spirit" or "Holy Ghost"
"Holy Spirit" or "Holy Ghost"
Holy Ghost was the common name for the Holy Spirit in English prior to the 20th century. It is the name used in the Book of Common Prayer and the King James Version of the Bible, and is still used by those who prefer more traditional language, or whose religious vocabulary is largely derived from the King James Version. The term is still retained in the traditional-language rites of the Anglican Church. The original meaning of the English word ghost paralleled the words spirit or soul; only later did the former word come to acquire the specific sense of "disembodied spirit of the dead" and the associated pejorative connotations.
In 1901 the American Standard Version of the Bible translated the name as Holy Spirit, as had the English Revised Version of 1881-1885 upon which it was based. Almost all modern English translations have followed suit. Some languages still use a word that overlaps both English words, such as the German Geist.
In Norfolk, a county in the United Kingdom, Religious Education teachers are told to avoid using "Holy Ghost" as it allegedly "suggests a trivial and spooky element to the third part in the Trinity".[9]
Holy Spirit from Wikipedia
Holy Spirit · Christianity
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The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. Musée Condé, Chantilly. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in the topmost area of painting.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. Musée Condé, Chantilly. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in the topmost area of painting.
In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity who make up the single substance of God; that is, the Spirit is considered to act in concert with and share an essential nature with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). The Christian theology of the Holy Spirit, or pneumatology, was the last piece of Trinitarian theology to be fully explored and developed. For this reason, there is greater theological diversity among Christian understandings of the Spirit than there is among understandings of the Son (Christology) and of the Father. Within Trinitarian theology, the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the "Third Person" of the Triune God - with the Father being the First Person and the Son the Second Person. This article also discusses understandings of the Holy Spirit by non-Trinitarian groups and some non-Christian groups who use the term as well.
Doctrine
--------------------
New Testament Background
It is held in common Christian belief that the Holy Spirit has been with this world from the beginning of creation. This view is taken from Genesis 1, where it is written that "the spirit of God was floating over the waters [of creation]" - indicating the Holy Spirit.
The first overt appearance of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is in the words of Jesus, speaking to his disciples (John 14:15-18) shortly before his death. He characterizes the Holy Spirit to them as the 'Spirit of Truth'. Chronologically though, the Holy Spirit makes a first appearance at the beginning of Jesus's ministry when he is baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:31-33). In these accounts, the incorporeal Holy Spirit is described as descending upon Jesus 'like' or 'as' a dove.
In John's Gospel, emphasis is placed not upon what the Holy Spirit did for Jesus, but upon Jesus giving the Spirit to his disciples. This "Higher" Christology sees Jesus as a sacrificial lamb, and as coming among mankind in order to grant the Spirit of God to humanity.
Although the language used to describe Jesus' receiving the Spirit in John's Gospel is parallel to the accounts in the other three Gospels, John relates this with the aim of showing that Jesus is specially in possession of the Spirit for the purpose of granting the Spirit to his followers, uniting them with himself, and in himself also uniting them with the Father. (See Raymond Brown, "The Gospel According to John", chapter on Pneumatology). In John, the gift of the Spirit is equivalent to eternal life, knowledge of God, power to obey, and communion with one another and with the Father.
[edit] Mainstream Christianity
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit leads people to faith in Jesus and gives them the ability to lead a Christian life. The Holy Spirit dwells inside every Christian, each one's body being his temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit is depicted as a 'Counselor' or 'Helper' (paracletus in Latin, derived from Greek), guiding people in the way of the truth. The Holy Spirit's action in one's life is believed to produce positive results, known as the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit manifests these gifts by enabling a person to access his or her own innate abilities. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit a person sees more clearly the world around him or her and can use his or her mind and body in ways that exceed his or her previous capacity. A list of gifts that may be bestowed include the charismatic gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, and knowledge. Christians holding a view known as cessationism believe these gifts were given only in New Testament times. Christians almost universally agree that certain "spiritual gifts" are still in effect today, including the gifts of ministry, teaching, giving, leadership, and mercy (see, e.g. Romans 12:6-8). The experience of the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as being anointed.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the promised "Advocate" (i.e. "strengthener", "fortifier") in John 14:26. After his resurrection, Christ told his disciples that they would be "baptized with the Holy Ghost", and would receive power from this event (Acts 1:4-8), a promise that was fulfilled in the events recounted in the second chapter of Acts. On the first Pentecost, Jesus' disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when a mighty wind was heard and tongues of fire appeared over their heads. A multilingual crowd heard the disciples speaking, and each of them heard them speaking in his or her native language.
The Holy Spirit's existence is affirmed in the Apostles Creed and responsibility for the Virgin Birth of Jesus is asserted. In the Nicene Creed (an extensive elaboration of the Apostles Creed), the Holy Spirit is further affirmed to proceed from either one or both of the other members of the Trinity (God the Father and God the Son) (see filioque controversy). This is taken to further imply that the Holy Spirit is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is also asserted to be the "Lord and Giver of Life".
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. Musée Condé, Chantilly. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in the topmost area of painting.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. Musée Condé, Chantilly. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in the topmost area of painting.
In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity who make up the single substance of God; that is, the Spirit is considered to act in concert with and share an essential nature with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). The Christian theology of the Holy Spirit, or pneumatology, was the last piece of Trinitarian theology to be fully explored and developed. For this reason, there is greater theological diversity among Christian understandings of the Spirit than there is among understandings of the Son (Christology) and of the Father. Within Trinitarian theology, the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the "Third Person" of the Triune God - with the Father being the First Person and the Son the Second Person. This article also discusses understandings of the Holy Spirit by non-Trinitarian groups and some non-Christian groups who use the term as well.
Doctrine
--------------------
New Testament Background
It is held in common Christian belief that the Holy Spirit has been with this world from the beginning of creation. This view is taken from Genesis 1, where it is written that "the spirit of God was floating over the waters [of creation]" - indicating the Holy Spirit.
The first overt appearance of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is in the words of Jesus, speaking to his disciples (John 14:15-18) shortly before his death. He characterizes the Holy Spirit to them as the 'Spirit of Truth'. Chronologically though, the Holy Spirit makes a first appearance at the beginning of Jesus's ministry when he is baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:31-33). In these accounts, the incorporeal Holy Spirit is described as descending upon Jesus 'like' or 'as' a dove.
In John's Gospel, emphasis is placed not upon what the Holy Spirit did for Jesus, but upon Jesus giving the Spirit to his disciples. This "Higher" Christology sees Jesus as a sacrificial lamb, and as coming among mankind in order to grant the Spirit of God to humanity.
Although the language used to describe Jesus' receiving the Spirit in John's Gospel is parallel to the accounts in the other three Gospels, John relates this with the aim of showing that Jesus is specially in possession of the Spirit for the purpose of granting the Spirit to his followers, uniting them with himself, and in himself also uniting them with the Father. (See Raymond Brown, "The Gospel According to John", chapter on Pneumatology). In John, the gift of the Spirit is equivalent to eternal life, knowledge of God, power to obey, and communion with one another and with the Father.
[edit] Mainstream Christianity
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit leads people to faith in Jesus and gives them the ability to lead a Christian life. The Holy Spirit dwells inside every Christian, each one's body being his temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit is depicted as a 'Counselor' or 'Helper' (paracletus in Latin, derived from Greek), guiding people in the way of the truth. The Holy Spirit's action in one's life is believed to produce positive results, known as the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit manifests these gifts by enabling a person to access his or her own innate abilities. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit a person sees more clearly the world around him or her and can use his or her mind and body in ways that exceed his or her previous capacity. A list of gifts that may be bestowed include the charismatic gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, and knowledge. Christians holding a view known as cessationism believe these gifts were given only in New Testament times. Christians almost universally agree that certain "spiritual gifts" are still in effect today, including the gifts of ministry, teaching, giving, leadership, and mercy (see, e.g. Romans 12:6-8). The experience of the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as being anointed.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the promised "Advocate" (i.e. "strengthener", "fortifier") in John 14:26. After his resurrection, Christ told his disciples that they would be "baptized with the Holy Ghost", and would receive power from this event (Acts 1:4-8), a promise that was fulfilled in the events recounted in the second chapter of Acts. On the first Pentecost, Jesus' disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when a mighty wind was heard and tongues of fire appeared over their heads. A multilingual crowd heard the disciples speaking, and each of them heard them speaking in his or her native language.
The Holy Spirit's existence is affirmed in the Apostles Creed and responsibility for the Virgin Birth of Jesus is asserted. In the Nicene Creed (an extensive elaboration of the Apostles Creed), the Holy Spirit is further affirmed to proceed from either one or both of the other members of the Trinity (God the Father and God the Son) (see filioque controversy). This is taken to further imply that the Holy Spirit is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is also asserted to be the "Lord and Giver of Life".
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit
Fellowship - Lake side
The key focus of our relationship with our Creator is not ACTION but BEING with Him. He desire to give Himself to us. So great is His love to us, like a Father who desire to give their best to their children.
When I was in the University, I would be spending Sunday morning to dialog with God. I wait for His response. I believe what happen in the Book. Now I want to experience it
When I was in the University, I would be spending Sunday morning to dialog with God. I wait for His response. I believe what happen in the Book. Now I want to experience it
Believe Again by Delta Goodrem
When I listen to this song the very first time, I sense the power of the song. Something different. When I Google the lyrics, I joyfully find out the song is talk about how a person find the faith of love again.
DELTA GOODREM LYRICS
"Believe Again"
Have you ever stared into the rain
Thought the clouds would never disappear
Have you ever screamed out into the dark
Thinking no one else could hear
I was leaving footprints tainted by my past
On this winding road to you
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
Have you ever spun out of control
Like you never saw the road ahead
Have you ever just kept looking back
Ever closer to the edge
I was praying for the light I see in your eyes
I had all but given up
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
I believe the impossible is possible to overcome
I believe in miracles
Born from love in everyone
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
DELTA GOODREM LYRICS
"Believe Again"
Have you ever stared into the rain
Thought the clouds would never disappear
Have you ever screamed out into the dark
Thinking no one else could hear
I was leaving footprints tainted by my past
On this winding road to you
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
Have you ever spun out of control
Like you never saw the road ahead
Have you ever just kept looking back
Ever closer to the edge
I was praying for the light I see in your eyes
I had all but given up
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
I believe the impossible is possible to overcome
I believe in miracles
Born from love in everyone
I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again
Misconcpetion of Holy Spirit
Look at the disciples. Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells in a believer when they are saved. The infilling of the Holy Spirit comes at the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as in the day of Pentecost, which is evident by speaking in tongues. If you look at Jesus, the woman touched his cloak, and he felt the Holy Spirit flow out of him. He had the Holy Spirit without measure. We don't..so we get refilled!
I think the illustration of Holy Spirit in the above mentioned paragraph assume that Holy Spirit is a "power".
When "Jesus breathed on them" merely means that Holy Spirit entering the spiritual realm of the disciples. She/He is with them from that time onward.
The "infilling of the Holy Spirit" means not only Holy Spirit to be in our subconsciousness, dream and inner world, but she is also besides us to protect and accompany us.
"Speaking in tongue" is a gift given by Holy Spirit to us. The tongue is a sign that Holy Spirit is with us. The language we utter is completely incomprehensible to non-follower of Christ and Satan.
"He feel that Holy Spirit flow out of him" should be interpret as "Jesus feels that Holy Spirit leave him temporarily to heal the person" or "Jesus feels that Holy Spirit release her power to the person who touch her cloak"
How wrong we are int he last 2000 years to think Holy Spirit as a FLOW OF ERERGY of POWER from God. No! Holy Spirit is commission by God to bring people back to God by various ways on earth. She is God. The third God who is like lover to me.
Cheers,
Laurence
I think the illustration of Holy Spirit in the above mentioned paragraph assume that Holy Spirit is a "power".
When "Jesus breathed on them" merely means that Holy Spirit entering the spiritual realm of the disciples. She/He is with them from that time onward.
The "infilling of the Holy Spirit" means not only Holy Spirit to be in our subconsciousness, dream and inner world, but she is also besides us to protect and accompany us.
"Speaking in tongue" is a gift given by Holy Spirit to us. The tongue is a sign that Holy Spirit is with us. The language we utter is completely incomprehensible to non-follower of Christ and Satan.
"He feel that Holy Spirit flow out of him" should be interpret as "Jesus feels that Holy Spirit leave him temporarily to heal the person" or "Jesus feels that Holy Spirit release her power to the person who touch her cloak"
How wrong we are int he last 2000 years to think Holy Spirit as a FLOW OF ERERGY of POWER from God. No! Holy Spirit is commission by God to bring people back to God by various ways on earth. She is God. The third God who is like lover to me.
Cheers,
Laurence
Holy Spirit as a Living Person
John 14:16 HS = Comforter 26 HS = Teacher 16:8 HS = Convictor 15:26 HS = Spirit of Trruth 16:13 HS = Guide 1 COR 2:10 HS = Revealer 2 PET 1:21 HS = Mover
Dear Holy Spirit,
Many people regards you as "gift", "thing" or "power". To me you are a living being like Jesus. You encompasses the gentleness like women and power like men.
Even in the Book, many authors describe you as a loving being like Guide, revealer, movers, convector, teacher and etc.
I can feel your presence whenever I drive my car alone. When I start picture you besides me. I can feel the electricity of warmth and care. Even though I cannot see you, but I can sense your very existing. I have shared this repeated incident to my cell members, they feel the same too.
The first stage to enter the mystery kingdom of the wonderful of Christ is to acknowledge your being. You are our bridge to the Kingdom - power, warmth, transformation, miracle and surprises.
The warmth feeling is very close to the feeling of love. The endless flow of the energy of love is beyond the eros from you to me. I believe this kind of fellowship is the very purpose God have made us.
Luv,
Laurence
Saturday, April 19, 2008
1st Letter to Beloved Person
Hi Holy Spirit,
Every time I think of you, I think of Galadriel in the movie of the Lord of the Ring casted by CateBlanchett. An Elf Queen of power and wisdom who assists the Fellowship. She is aAll powerful, all knowing, gentle but firm, and comforting. It is like to bring out the best of gentle female - fine, considerate, beauty yet powerful.
The record of you to appear as a person is so little in the Bible. So many Christians think that you are a "POWER" but not as person. No wonder so many people find it is so hard to relate to you.
When I speak of you, I almost speak of love. The love between men and women - pure, passion, love, intimate. As male, I can only relate to Jesus as brotherly love, but to you it is almost like love between lovers. Perhaps it is how many sisters feel that way too when they think of Jesus?
19 April 2008
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