What is Pentecost?

Pentecost is big celebration in the Christian community. At least it should be!

This holiday is based on the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which celebrated the Ten Commandments coming down from Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus. 50 days, thus "Pent"... eh?

In the Christian tradition, it's the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came at the conclusion of that same Jewish Festival, just after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Christian tradition, the feast falls 50 days after Easter (aha! "pente" again!).

Pentecost is hailed as the birth of the Church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to begin their ministry and expand the Church on earth; to spread the Gospel of our Lord.


Happy Pentecost!
Thank you, God, for the Holy Spirit!

Hello, Summer!

It's summer. I'm busy.
WHAT?
Normally I just sit on my tush all summer, but this summer I have a Real Job.
Thankfully, it also comes with a Real Paycheck. Thank you, Jesus!

Speaking of Jesus, I need to read my Bible more often. Who wants to get on my tail about this? I am going to try to be proactive about it and set a daily time to be with God and only God. I talk to God all day, but I need to set apart some time just to spend reading my Bible and "be still and know that I am God".

Which brings me to a point. I feel really uncomfortable and strange just talking to God. Just saying what's on my mind. I think that God knows what I'm saying all the time- there isn't a time when I imagine that God isn't privy to what I think, say or do. So I feel weird JUST praying. It also is an incredibly intimate thing, to talk to the creator of the universe. It's a privilege that isn't lost on me.

Does anyone else feel this way? That praying, just praying, feels a little strange?

Grace and peace,



P.S. Next Sunday is Pentecost. Woot!

Brookie passed Greek!

That's right, folks! I did more than pass, and that's totally a God thing! Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, Dr. Bryant.

One thing about school that has been troubling this semester has been how "liberal" the theology is that I've been learning. For instance, I learned in my Old Testament class that there were two authors to the book of Isaiah. Um, what? I spoke with the father of a dear friend, whose father is a biblical scholar, about this issue. His answer? "The whole point of Isaiah is that this has not happened yet. It's that God is saying 'This won't happen for another 500 years, but I'm God and I'm telling you what will happen.'"
Isaiah's prophesy shows us that God knows the future. It reveals to us more of God's character. It also gives us hope. Some would say that the prophesies refer to Hezekiah's son, but Christian thought for centuries attributed these prophesies to Christ and his birth.

So where does this leave me? Well, I'll probably be looking for a conservative seminary to attend. Other than that, I'll eat the fish and leave the bones when it comes to my required religion classes. I'll keep some knowledgeable, trusted biblical scholars and leaders on my speed dial and talk to them about things that I am having trouble with. Above all, I'm going to continue to trust Jesus and rely on Him, and remember that all He asks of me is to love him.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NRSV

In Christ alone,
Brookie

I know that I said...

that I wouldn't talk about or think about theology, BUT
it REALLY, REALLY bugs me when people start making theological assumptions and use those assumptions to judge that someone is sinning IF THAT PERSON has no formal study in the original Biblical languages or in Christian Doctrines in general.

Seriously.

This is a "Brookie is very upset that people are judging other people and putting words in Jesus' mouth and calling it blasphemy if you don't subscribe to their views" post. I don't really blog angry often, but here we go. A first for everything.


Please, people. Before you get your panties in a wad over a "revelation" that you had, please just do some research. And don't you dare call me a sinner if I get married and work outside the home.

Where is my joy?

I used to have such joy. Then I came to college.
I think that my problem is that in high school, I was comfortable where I was and with what few friends I had for the most part. Now that I'm here, I think I'm preoccupied with making new friends and fitting in.
I was not born to fit in, people. I have never fit in. In high school I was The Conservative One. I've loosened up in college, at least as far as how I relax, but I wonder if I've lost some of myself in doing so. Have I compromised my inner Brooklynn by not being the "prude" that I once was? Am I losing myself? Has that taken away my joy?

Am I ashamed of Jesus? Am I ashamed of the radical way that the Lord has changed my life and saved me? Is my fear of getting "in your face" keeping me from celebrating the new life that I have in Christ? In order to make new friends and be "user-friendly", am I forsaking the joy that I found in Jesus?


Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's not worth it. Whatever it is that I'm doing, I'm definitely doing it wrong. I love Jesus, I'm forever grateful for His work in my life, and because of His death and resurrection, His love, I am saved.

I can not be silent.

-Brookie

That Theology...

is a little to much for me right now.
Don't misunderstand me. I love God. I love talking about God. I love trying to find out the ins and outs of what's Biblically sound, what's sound doctrine and what isn't, but I have reached a point where I can't think about all of those differences anymore. I feel like I've found out that there are so many different points at which doctrine splits entirely, and indeed form two different faith systems. I don't know which is right. All I can rely on is God, that He will guide me along what is true and what isn't.
But now I've gotten so busy with school and friends (shock!) that I have neglected my relationship with God. Typical- neglect the One who delivered me safely thus far, who loves me unconditionally, and who made the ultimate sacrifice for me. The One whose heart hurts for me when I fall away from Him, who is hurt by my sin, whose heart aches for me when I ache.
That wasn't very loving me of, was it? And that's all that God requires of me.
Consider this my official notice of sabbatical. I am taking a break from any outside influence on my relationship between me and God. I am going to start rebuilding my relationship with my Abba, one step at a time. First step? Saying sorry.
Next step? Love.

I'll keep y'all updated. I know you're hanging on my every word (not!)

-Brookie