Like the Wind Spinning Windmills, The Holy Spirit Keeps Working

Windspinner Whirling

Windspinner Whirling

Windmill Spinning

Windmill Spinning

With the brisk winds lately, it’s been pleasant to look in the backyard and see the Holy Spirit working. Actually, not exactly that. But, it has been pleasant to pass a window, look toward the garden and see the windmill and wind spinner whirling away. Sometimes they are spinning so fast I wonder if they won’t go flying off into the air.

I usually smile and feel thankful for the blessing of these contraptions, and God’s creation silhouetting and surrounding them, and working with them.

Then, as I’ve mentioned before, I think of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in John 3:8 (ESV) “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

In addition to hearing, we can also see the effects of the wind like that on these spinning gadgets.

And in many ways, we can see and hear the effects of the Holy Spirit working in this world. When we see or hear about people whose hearts and lives have been totally changed; when we see mercy given and received; When we hear someone praise God and know they really mean it.

But, often the most significant times we notice His presence are when it is personal. When we know our heart has been changed and we understand that Jesus is our Savior; When we give mercy and realize that wasn’t what our selfishness would have done; When we praise God and know we really mean it.

Those are the special times I think of when I look out my window and see the wind causing something to move.

The Windmill and The Holy Spirit

Windmill Full View

Windmill Full View

The windmill was my choice for my 40th wedding anniversary present. Thanks to Sharon for agreeing it would be appropriate. In case you’re wondering, even though she will enjoy this too, she got something different for her present.

The windmill is 12 feet tall, and as you see, I had a bed already there like it was made for it. It spins wonderfully and the vane turns it into the wind just as it should. Our only regret is that when it’s spinning so wonderfully, it isn’t generating electricity or pumping water. That may be another project someday, but for now we will enjoy watching the wind’s effect upon it.

The windspinners we’ve installed, and the windmill’s actions often bring to mind Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. Just as we can’t see the wind but can see it’s effect on the world around us, we can’t see the Holy Spirit, but we can see His effect on the hearts of the people around us. He is always moving and working, and we get to marvel when He turns hearts of stone into soft hearts of flesh. It’s especially marvelous when it’s our own heart that is changed!

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 ESV

Blooms and Scripture 20

Cone Flowers

Coneflowers

The coneflowers keep coming back and are beautiful year after year – “in manifold witness”.

Great is Thy Faithfulness:

“Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz2dQEM3V9m

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV

Blooms and Scripture 15

The English Garden Look - Getting Closer

The English Garden Look – Getting Closer

Sharon and I like to watch the English mystery TV shows (Poirot, Miss Marple, Inspector Lewis, etc.) During those I often notice the flower gardens. They’re so full with so many different plants. Something to see wherever your eye turns. I’ve been working toward something like that, and this year it is getting closer. Perhaps, some day.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11 ESV