After a somewhat 'dark' week during which I felt that something was 'disturbing my spirit', today was wonderful.
I spent most of the day being part of an Alpha Holy Spirit Day. The Alpha Programme which came out of the Anglican church many years ago, is not a bible study or a crash course in religion! It is a ten week course which explores the meaning of life and one's relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a very personal, uplifting, and non threatening course which ultimately can bring one into a deeper understanding of life and enhance the faith of those who do believe in God and also, bring non believers to Christ. It is anything but boring, is fun and involves food. Plenty of food. I always tell people to be prepared to gain a little weight whilst doing an Alpha course as this is hospitality at its best!!
I have over the years, worked on many Alpha Courses and have seen peoples' lives change as a result of their participation. I have seen relationships change for the better be it a marriage or a friendship. I have seen attitudes change, brittleness disappear, forgiveness taking place and non believers coming to faith. And also I have seen people 'giving' their lives to Christ.
Giving one's life to Christ does not mean sackcloth and ashes, continuous fasting, piety and being permanently on one's knees!! That is a far cry from Christianity. Christianity is fun. It's a way of life. It's following in the footsteps of Christ and trying to live out His expectations of us. It's living by example. No easy task!!
Anyway, there I was today at the Holy Spirit Day having given the refresher Ministry talk to prayer leaders last Thursday evening when I was still shrouded in the thing that was disturbing my spirit! This evening that cloud has gone. Today I saw people who were wary of what might happen, receive the Holy Spirit. I saw tears, heard laughter, felt the beginnings of healing and personally once again, felt an extraordinary peace as the Holy Spirit moved among the group.
Want to know more about Alpha?
http://www.alpha.org/ in the UK or
http://www.alphausa.org/Groups/1000047505/What_is_Alpha.aspx
Sounds like a wonderful event to be a part of. The Holy Spirit does work in miraculous ways. So glad you are feeling uplifted.
ReplyDeleteIs there more to life than meets the eye! It certainly does! It's always a voyage of discovery in anything one does, be it something new or otherwise. To be involved is to be educated and it's a big thing! Nicely Bee!
ReplyDeleteHank
even mother teresa had her dark days; in fact she had many of them. when we are down, we are in good company. i'm very glad to read that you are feeling better now.
ReplyDelete