Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2014
The Voice of God
But there are some that have had experiences of God speaking to them that is more than just a "feeling". Roma had just that kind of experience and his story will give you chills, bring tears to your eyes and reassure you that God is still present and active in the world through the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit that is here in the place that you are-listening, caring and guiding!
Listen to the moving and life changing testimony of Roma!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Ask God
Ask and you shall receive
Knock and the door will be opened
Seek and you will find...Matthew 7:7
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace
with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us
in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?” declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:2
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Morning Glories Beginnings:The Book
Morning Glories Devotionals started as a collection of inspired writings and was published as a book in 2009. I began writing in 2006 when the Holy Spirit spoke to me one word "write". I, of course, did what came natural. I argued. I gave every reason why I shouldn't or couldn't write. I never have-don't know how-have nothing to write about. With each excuse I received a one word rebuttal-write. Three times the Holy Spirit spoke the single word-write. So, with that, I picked up my pen and a legal pad and began writing whatever came to mind. The first couple of pieces were very short but within 2 weeks I was writing 900-1200 word stories with a new divinely inspired topic every 2 weeks. Within a year I had a substantial collection. I prayed about what I was to do with what I had accumulated. The result of my inspired labor is the book you see above. It is meant to be a study devotional with room for journaling so that your Bible study can be your own personal discovery experience. Paperback and e-book versions can be found at online bookstores worlwide. Or follow this link, https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Glories-Shawn-Tinsley-ebook/dp/B0791LQ11B
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Rainbow, God's Promise & Us
http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/013/cache/double-rainbow-reid_1399_600x450.jpg
One of the most amazingly beautiful phenomena we witness in nature is the rainbow. The array of colors dispersed through the air as the mist of a summer rain settles on the ground stops us in our tracks, if only for a moment, and the promise it represents takes our breath away replacing it with humbleness and a reminder of God’s grace and mercy (Genesis 9:13-17)!
Science attempts to explain the wonders of nature as well as the human body and the mind. Discoveries have been made revealing answers to so many mysteries of each and enlighten us to the fact that there are more questions to ask. When it comes to rainbows, we have been able to simulate the band of colors created from projecting light onto a triangular block of glass called a prism to transform that beam into the splendor of a rainbow! Well, ok, a very small version of God’s grand display in the sky!
In all the spectrum of color there are many made from a combination of the three primary colors the human eye recognizes: red, blue and green. Adding these colors emits white while subtraction leaves us with black. Most everyone loves color and most of us have one that is our favorite. Have you ever wondered why you are drawn to one particular color more than another? Colors are as vast and diverse as personalities. Just like personalities, colors can tell much about a person. There are even personality tests that go solely on color. So, this seems to suggest that colors have meaning. According to the Bible they do!
First, let’s take a look at the link between color and personality. Have you ever wondered about the significance of color? Besides the obvious purpose of making our surroundings more exciting and pleasing to our senses do colors have specific meanings? If so, what does that meaning have to do with us? Well, we have all grown up hearing the generalizations bordering folklore of the ‘dumb blonde”, “angry red head”, innocence of pink or brooding of black but what about all the colors of the spectrum? Everything has a reason for it’s existence, even a color. So, what is that reason and what is it’s connection with you?
First, we need to understand how we see what we see. For most of us, those who aren’t totally blind, information is received by the eyes and transmitted to the brain. Colors are processed by three different cones: red, blue and green. The latest and most excepted theory, due to neurological findings, suggests a more specific categorization of channels produced by the cones of red-green, blue-yellow and black-white (luminance). This explains why we don’t see reddish-green or yellowish-blue. It also better defines the color wheel. The process of color perception is as vast and mysterious as the brain itself.
Science attempts to explain the wonders of nature as well as the human body and the mind. Discoveries have been made revealing answers to so many mysteries of each and enlighten us to the fact that there are more questions to ask. When it comes to rainbows, we have been able to simulate the band of colors created from projecting light onto a triangular block of glass called a prism to transform that beam into the splendor of a rainbow! Well, ok, a very small version of God’s grand display in the sky!
In all the spectrum of color there are many made from a combination of the three primary colors the human eye recognizes: red, blue and green. Adding these colors emits white while subtraction leaves us with black. Most everyone loves color and most of us have one that is our favorite. Have you ever wondered why you are drawn to one particular color more than another? Colors are as vast and diverse as personalities. Just like personalities, colors can tell much about a person. There are even personality tests that go solely on color. So, this seems to suggest that colors have meaning. According to the Bible they do!
First, let’s take a look at the link between color and personality. Have you ever wondered about the significance of color? Besides the obvious purpose of making our surroundings more exciting and pleasing to our senses do colors have specific meanings? If so, what does that meaning have to do with us? Well, we have all grown up hearing the generalizations bordering folklore of the ‘dumb blonde”, “angry red head”, innocence of pink or brooding of black but what about all the colors of the spectrum? Everything has a reason for it’s existence, even a color. So, what is that reason and what is it’s connection with you?
First, we need to understand how we see what we see. For most of us, those who aren’t totally blind, information is received by the eyes and transmitted to the brain. Colors are processed by three different cones: red, blue and green. The latest and most excepted theory, due to neurological findings, suggests a more specific categorization of channels produced by the cones of red-green, blue-yellow and black-white (luminance). This explains why we don’t see reddish-green or yellowish-blue. It also better defines the color wheel. The process of color perception is as vast and mysterious as the brain itself.
Now that we know how color is perceived, it’s time to discover the meaning assigned to each. There are several areas we can find that place significance on color: culture, religion, social beliefs and personal preference. Comparing the areas you find they agree to most of the same defining qualities.
What does your personality have to do with your color perception and preference? What does God say about it all?
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Live In Peace!
http://cindeere.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/rejoice.jpg
re·joice
riˈjois/
verb
- 1.feel or show great joy or delight."he rejoiced when he saw his friend alive"
And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. ~ 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The 1st Church
The Church, as God Intended, Is About People not Buildings
1-4 While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!
5-7 The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander—everybody who was anybody was there. They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: “Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?”
8-12 With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”
13-14 They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that?
15-17 They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: “What can we do with these men? By now it’s known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone.”
18-20 They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”
21-22 The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.
One Heart, One Mind
23-26 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:
Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth’s leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!
27-28 “For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself!—met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.
29-30 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.
32-33 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35 And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.
36-37 Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.
We all should frequently visit and meditate on these scripture to remind ourselves what the Message is really all about, our part in sharing that message with other and why it is so important.
ACTS CHAPTER 4
1-4 While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!
5-7 The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander—everybody who was anybody was there. They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: “Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?”
8-12 With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”
13-14 They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that?
15-17 They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: “What can we do with these men? By now it’s known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone.”
18-20 They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”
21-22 The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.
One Heart, One Mind
23-26 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:
Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth’s leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!
27-28 “For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself!—met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.
29-30 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.
32-33 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35 And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.
36-37 Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Angels Unaware
An elderly woman leaves the grocery store with her sackful of needed items for the dinner she was planning that night for her grandkids who were coming to visit. In the rush to do her shopping and get home she forgot to put in her hearing aids. "It's just a block away. It'll be alright just this once. I walk to that store all the time. It will be fine." As she is crossing the intersection heading back home she is preoccupied with thoughts of her recipe. Did she get everything she needed? A quick glance with her less than perfect vision and off the curb she stepped to cross the street not hearing the car barreling toward her! Suddenly she felt an arm around shoulders and a forceful tug pulling her back just as the car sped by. She looked up to see a young man of about 15 years old asking her is she was alright as he helped her pick up the groceries that had fallen from her bag."You're an angel!" said the old woman to the teenage boy.
From the beginning of time there has been talk of angels. The Bible tells us of the heavenly beings and how they are agents of God to be guardians, soldiers and messengers. There has been talk of angels in human form. There has also been stories of humans actings as angels when they allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit to do extrodianary things to help others.
The photo above is part of a heartwarming story of a family spared from murder by angels that "watched them sleep as if guarding them". A group of God's messangers sending a silent message to the would be killers that this family was not going to be harmed on this night!
http://angels.about.com/od/YourAngelEncounters/a/Guardian-Angels-At-Work.htm
Above is a picture of a crashed car burning after an explosion that happened late one night. A nearby neighbor who was a retired nurse and medic heard the crash and rushed to help. His brother was nearby and met him at the scene. Together, they broke the back glass, crawled into the car and freed the trapped driver. What they did to save that person makes them both angels! That in itself is amazing but there's more. Much more was at work that night. Another 'angel' helped and then dissapeared as if in thin air! I like to call it angels helping angels!
http://angels.about.com/od/YourAngelEncounters/a/Angel-With-A-Fire-Extinguisher.htm
In today's society we get so wrapped up in our day-to-day lives; so busy with "stuff" that many times we miss the 'miracles' that happen all around us. Some happen that are very dramatic and unexplainable like a stranger appearing from nowhere to give assistance only to vanish without a trace. Some happen just by one of us mortal humans taking the time to show compassion, listen to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit and acting with the boldness of God's Spirit in us!
Jesus told his disciples all those years ago and he is telling us now, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." - John 14:12-14
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! - Hebrews 13:2
The photo above is part of a heartwarming story of a family spared from murder by angels that "watched them sleep as if guarding them". A group of God's messangers sending a silent message to the would be killers that this family was not going to be harmed on this night!
http://angels.about.com/od/YourAngelEncounters/a/Guardian-Angels-At-Work.htm
Above is a picture of a crashed car burning after an explosion that happened late one night. A nearby neighbor who was a retired nurse and medic heard the crash and rushed to help. His brother was nearby and met him at the scene. Together, they broke the back glass, crawled into the car and freed the trapped driver. What they did to save that person makes them both angels! That in itself is amazing but there's more. Much more was at work that night. Another 'angel' helped and then dissapeared as if in thin air! I like to call it angels helping angels!
http://angels.about.com/od/YourAngelEncounters/a/Angel-With-A-Fire-Extinguisher.htm
In today's society we get so wrapped up in our day-to-day lives; so busy with "stuff" that many times we miss the 'miracles' that happen all around us. Some happen that are very dramatic and unexplainable like a stranger appearing from nowhere to give assistance only to vanish without a trace. Some happen just by one of us mortal humans taking the time to show compassion, listen to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit and acting with the boldness of God's Spirit in us!
Jesus told his disciples all those years ago and he is telling us now, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." - John 14:12-14
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! - Hebrews 13:2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)