What is the Breath of God?
This morning, I had the privilege and honor of singing with a terrific group of ladies from our church–Seaford Baptist Church in Seaford, Va. We sang a song by Jesus Culture titled “Mighty Breath of God”. In preparation for worship this morning, I found myself thinking about the words of this song, and the implications it has about the trinity and the part of the trinity that is the Holy Spirit.
So, why would the phrase “Mighty Breath of God” lead me to think about the Holy Spirit? In looking in my Bible Software (I’m trying to teach myself some of its newest features that are extraordinarily helpful), I see that the the Greek word translated into Holy Spirit is “Pneuma”, which means “breath”.
I started by writing what “Pneuma” would mean–does mean–would look like–does look like. Breath is life-giving. Breath is cleansing. Without breath there is death. We use our breath to speak. To Sigh. To blow away things such as dust and cobwebs.
And therefore, if God is a person–and He is–than He contains breath. We see evidence of this all the way back in Genesis–as God spoke, using His breath, the world came into being. Light and water and living things came into breathing. In Genesis 2:7 we read:
In the book of John, we see Jesus trying to prepare his disciples for what is coming. Jesus is going away. These are His friends. He loves them. He knows that His going will be difficult on them. Therefore He tells them this (among many other things) in John 14:
I love this—this reference to the Spirit as being the Spirit of truth. Truth is vital. God literally breathes truth to us; to those that listen to Him. The world can not understand this. We as believers can understand this truth for this Spirit dwells with us and in us. No, I’m not claiming that I understand it perfectly. At all. But I do know that there are times when I can sense the Spirit so clearly that it is both overwhelmingly beautiful as well as disconcerting. Sometimes this happens during worship. Sometimes it happens during prayer and scripture study. Other times it happens in the midst of the darkest nights.
Please allow me to share one more example of how the Pneuma–the breath of God–directly impacts our lives. Take a look at these incredible verses in Romans 8, one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture:
It is the Spirit, the Breath of God, who helps us in our weakness. And I don’t know about you, but I know that I am weak. I am so very weak. I need the Spirit’s help. So often I do not have words to pray; words to say to my God. But the Spirit–the breath of God Himself-intercedes for me with “groanings too deep for words”. Wow. When I can not utter what is in my soul, the Spirit knows what is there and He utters it—breathes it out–Himself. And God, who searches hearts–who searches my very soul–knows, of course, the mind of the Spirit. And all of this occurs because it is the will of God. Whew.
So this brings me again to the song we sang this morning: Mighty Breath of God. God’s breath is mighty. We desire for the Spirit of God–for His breath-to move both in power and in grace. Think about that: Mighty Power. Gentle Grace. The two are compatible, necessary, beautiful. Passion for God’s Holy Name.
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Move upon this place
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Won’t you move, in power and grace?Verse:1
Streams of mercy flowing down
Light of Heaven all around
And it’s falling to the groundChorus:
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Move upon this place
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Won’t you move, in power and grace?Verse:2
Spirit fire, fan the flame
Passion for your Holy name
Burning everythingChorus:
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Move upon this place
Blow, Mighty breath of God
Come move in power and graceBridge:
Let Your wind blow
Let Your fire fall
Let Your wind blow, Your wind blow
Let Your fire fall, Your fire fall
Let Your wind blow
Let Your fire fallMore lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/jesus_culture/
Hello, My Name is Single
Being single is lonely. It’s not how I imagined my life would end up. And yet here I am.
But being single can also have it’s very funny moments, particularly if you have a warped or acute sense of humor. I loved this list from Justin Holcomb of “Stupid Things to Say to Singles”. I have to say, I’ve only had a couple of these statements (or similar ones) said to me, and they were from well-meaning folk who really do love me. And while they stung a bit, I was also able to laugh to myself about them.
So here’s the list. If you are a single who is very sensitive to comments like this, please remember that the people who say them do not wish to hurt you or harm you. They often truly believe that what they are saying is going to comfort or help you. Maybe you could read this list and see just a bit of humor in the ridiculousness of some of these sayings, and allow yourself to even chuckle a bit:
- There’s sin in your life that God wants you to work through first. Once you work it out, he’ll bring you a spouse.
- You should probably lower your standards. You’re only interested in men/women who are above your level. You need to be more realistic about who you are and what kind of guy/woman you can expect to be interested in you.
- You aren’t confident enough. If you liked you, guys/women would like you, too.
- Guys are intimidated by you. The more you accomplish, the less guys will want to ask you out.
- Why are you still single? Don’t you go to a huge church with lots of singles?
- Just stop thinking about it, then it will happen.
- God probably has you single for you to learn something. What is He trying to teach you?
- Maybe there’s sin that you need to deal with and He’s preventing you from inviting someone else into your sin.
- When you’re fully content in Him, then He will bring you a spouse.
- Maybe you’re not praying enough for a spouse.
- Put yourself out there.
- If you just lost 20 pounds a guy would be able to see how wonderful you truly are.
- God is trying to teach you something in this season. Once you learn it, he’ll bring you a spouse.
- Don’t worry, I’m sure you’re next!
- I have a friend who was 35 when she got married, there’s still hope for you too.
- God betroths those who betroth themselves.
- When you’re fully satisfied in God, then he’ll bring you a spouse.
- You get to be married to Jesus. Just think of him as your husband.
- Jesus and Paul were single on Valentines day, so you’re in good company.
- I know you feel lonely and broken hearted, but Jesus literally had a broken heart, when they pierced it for your sins.
- Loneliness is God’s way of drawing you to himself.
- She’s out there, man. Just have more faith.
- Your gift on Valentine’s Day is singleness.
- You might be single, but there are other people who probably wish they were single.
- Go watch Bridget Jones Diary and feel sorry for yourself.
- I can’t remember the last time I was single on Valentine’s day.
- God works together all things for those who love him, even those who aren’t loved by anyone… especially on Valentine’s.
- Maybe you’re gay.
- Maybe God’s protecting you from STDs.
- At least you’re not getting a girl pregnant.
- I am praying for a husband for you, by the way, so I hope you’re still into that.
- You have to love yourself before someone else can love you.
- Dance with God and he’ll let the perfect man cut in.
- I think you’ll get married and have a family someday. But God might choose to keep you for Himself. If that’s the case, may you move mountains with your faith and change thousands of lives for His glory….I just don’t want you to feel broken or homely while doing so.
- Let’s be honest, if you are over 25 and still single God hates you.
- You don’t need to date. You need to trust God to bring the right person to you. After all, Adam was asleep when God made Eve.
- Being married isn’t that great or very different.
- I wish I were still single. You have no idea what you think you want.
- At least you can buy shoes!
“To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God”
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent translation of Hugo's book by Julie Rose. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The book was much different than I had first imagined from reading the first several chapters. A good book will cause you to think and to contemplate your beliefs--this book has done that for me. I'm re-examining my thoughts on mercy and justice.
There were some great passages in here written with intense skill with words and images. Like drinking a fine wine, reading the words crafted together so elegantly so as to make you stop and ponder them, caused me to linger more over some sections than others.
The story itself is both strange and beautifully simple in it's complication. This book takes work to read, and that work is well-worth the effort.
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