A Quote for Pentecost

If a man must say that he cannot find God in the reality of his own present life, and if he would compensate for this by the thought that God is nevertheless the final cause of all that happens, then his belief in God will be a theoretical speculation or a dogma; and however great the force with which he clings to this belief, it will not be true faith, for faith can be only the recognition of the activity of God in his own life.

- R. Bultmann

The Pizza Tapes

In 1993, three musicians got together to jam for a couple of nights, playing primarily traditional folk and bluegrass songs. Fortunately, sessions were in a recording studio and were caught on tape. The sessions weren't meant for release so the artists were shocked when songs from bootlegs tapes began to circulate and gain popularity. The mystery of how the tapes became public was eventually solved. A pizza delivery boy had swiped cassette copies from the kitchen of one of the artists. The artists were David Grisman on mandolin and Tony Rice on guitar. The third musician, on guitar and doing the vocals, was the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. (the pizza boy grabbed the tapes from Garcia's kitchen)

The"pizza tapes" were finally remastered and released--and what a treat! This is what Emmylou Harris would call music of "the living room." It is music played and performed for the joy of the music. And the sound is superb. You may actually think the three are in your living room. If you have trouble thinking of Jerry Garcia doing bluegrass, stop worrying and just listen. Shady Grove, Little Sadie, and Man of Constant Sorrow are here. Amazing Grace. Yes, Jerry does gospel too. And you may have a conversion experience when you listen. Check out the cuts here.

The Flames of Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:1-4

Today the Church celebrates Pentecost, when God's Spirit was poured out on believers. Luke's narrative in the opening pages of Acts, especially the dramatic chapter 2, highlights three significant aspects of the event. The gift of the Holy Spirit was:
1) promised by Jesus and was a fulfillment of the words of the prophet Joel
2) for all believers, regardless of gender, age, or social status
3) associated with the conversion experience of repentance and baptism

Shavuot (Weeks)

Tonight at sundown, the Jewish community begins celebration of Shavuot or Weeks. Christians know this holiday from the New Testament as Pentecost. The festival is based on Leviticus 23:15-16 and was originally celebrated as an agricultural holiday, the first fruits of the grain harvest. Its annual celebration was on the 50th day following Passover. At a very early, stage the focus of the festival shifted to the celebration of God's giving of the Law (Torah) to Moses. Evidence is available in this shift as early as the second century of the common era. This is still the focus of the Jewish celebration of Shavuot.

Of course, Christians also continue to remember the importance of this festival, but for another reason. Often referring to it as the "birthday of the church," Christian tradition, based on Acts 2, remembers the festival as the time when the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers in Jesus as Lord and Christ (Messiah). Pentecost will be celebrated in most churches this coming Sunday.

The picture file is from Wikimedia Commons - Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt.

Paul As . . . Benefactor

Paul's mission to the Gentiles was accepted by the Jerusalem leadership with one key stipulation, that he remember the poor. Paul readily agreed and this commitment can be observed throughout his letters. The church Paul founded at Philippi appears to have given abundantly. But the church at Corinth proved a different matter. Paul spends a significant amount of time in his two extant letters to Corinth laying out a giving strategy, encouraging generosity, and reminding the Corinthians of their commitment to help the poor in Jerusalem. Ultimately Paul was successful and was able to deliver a substantial contribution to those in need in Jerusalem.

Primary Sources
Galatians 2:7-10
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
2 Corinthians 8 - 9
Romans 15:25-29

Historical Question: How did Paul physically transport the offering from Greece to Jerusalem given the dangers of traveling in the ancient world with large sums of money?

Memorial Day

"For us, Memorial Day is about this cemetery."

Here's a Memorial Day reflection in a few word and photos from Ree Drummond at one of my favorite sites, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Economic Stress Index

I have no doubt that economic stress impacts us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This interactive Economic Stress Index from the Associated Press maps each county in the United States for unemployment, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. The map is colored coded so that you can see geographically the economic stress "hot spots" and stats for individual counties. (Click here)