"Called Alongside"

Greetings Pasadena Church Community,

I am so grateful for the vision and implementation of this blog spot. I am also excited about the opportunity to dialogue through scriptures and spiritual matters. As for the Holy Spirit, I find encouragement in "his" name. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth" (John 14:15-17; NIV).

This name "Counselor" comes from the Greek word pronounced, "para-klay-tawn". This is where we get the word, "paraclete" which literally means, "called alongside". This means that the Holy Spirit was "called" to walk "alongside" us. It means that as the Christian travels on the journey of life, through blessings and challenges, through aboundance and drought, through happiness and sorrow, he or she is not alone. Even in times when we feel isolated, when it seems that no one understands, and it feels like we are walking alone, the Holy Spirit has been "called alongside" us to guide us in truth, to comfort us in sorrow and to lead us into our destiny.

I am encouraged daily, that God has not just sent to us a "counselor" as is defined by the American English definition, but He has ordained and commissioned the Holy Spirit himself to be by our side forever. This is the source of my help, my strength, my move, my press, my step, and my stride. The Holy Spirit is the source of my get-up when I fall, my flee when I am tempted, my try-again when I fail, my love-my-neighbor when my neighbor doesn't love me, my feeding-the-poor when I can barely feed myself, and my carrying-my-cross when I feel like giving up.

It is the one who has been "called alongside" who allows us to experience the Father, who promised to never leave us or forsake us, and the Son, Emmanuel, who is God with us. This is the experience of the Trinity.

Much Love,

Pastor D.

Talk To Me People!

Greetings,
This is Pastor Kerwin and I'm here to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with you. I'm interested in your thoughts about the Holy Spirit. Over the next several weeks, I'd like to discuss my personal perspective as well as hear yours. Feel free to ask the questions that you've always wanted answers to. If I don't have an answer, I promise you that we can discover it together. I'm kinda' new at blogging, but, I'm committed to sharing the gospel and "Rightly Dividing" the Word of truth with you. I'm also excited to join the other Pastors on our Church Team in sharing with you.

Peace,

Pastor Kerwin