Seeing Red
We are Genesis people, born of the Father.
We are Easter people, at the mouth of Jesus’ empty tomb.
And we are Pentecost people, afire with the Holy Spirit. And this is why we see red — Pentecost Red.
The color represents the tongues of flames that descended on the early church. But when I pulled the polka-dot Minnie Mouse dress over her head for church, Anna says there’s more to it than fire:
“Mommy, it’s the color of the heart of Jesus.”
And, yes, Anna, you’re right. For this is how our hearts beat as a Pentecost people: Jesus … Jesus … Jesus. This is our cardiac cycle, and it burns red, and it beats strong.
The Holy Spirit isn’t some wimpy apparition playing a harp. The Holy Spirit is bringin’ it! With power.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you …
— Acts 1:8
And no, the Holy Spirit isn’t an “it.”
The Holy Spirit is part of the Holy He,
the Holy Three,
the Three in One who was, and is, and is to come.
This Spirit — the One who hovered over the waters, the One who set Jesus-faith afire 2,000 years ago — is the same One alive in us today.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Counselor to be with you forever—
the Spirit of truth.”
— John 14:16-17
This Holy Spirit is very God,
able to enter a personality and change it.
This is God,
showing up, setting hearts on fire.
This is God,
giving voice to your words, comfort to your wounds.
This is God.
And in Him, we live …
In the name of the Father.
And of the Son.
And of the Holy Ghost.
We run RED after Him.
Jesus … Jesus … Jesus.
Photos: Pentecost Day here in Iowa.
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This is beautiful. Seeing Red. Seeing God's power and glory. Seeing Jesus' heart beat. Seeing the fire of the Holy Spirit. Thank you.
Many blessings,
Lyn
I love the verse that tells us we have the same power in us that raised Jesus from the dead.
I'm awake now!
~ Wendy
Very good! I need a lot of red in my life right now.
Beautiful!
I love the see of red on Pentecost morning and this just made it so much better.
Blessings!
I LOVED this…that picture of your sweet daughter running really brings your point home….
Bringin' it! I love that description of the Holy Spirit!
Beautiful post!!
Thank you for your prayers for MaryGrace!
Blessings,
andrea
Beautifully written Jennifer!!
beautiful, Jennifer……just beautiful. I just love how you share what is on your heart and see things through your eyes.
……I will never look at red the same again.
I like this Jennifer. I, too, wrote about the Holy Spirit today…but your post is much more cohesive and helps bring some sense to what I was thinking about today. Thank you!
Just love this! Thanks.
Mmmm… Just the thought of running after Him brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart.
Thanks for this!
This absolutely made my day.
Thank you, Jennifer.
I love this post!
The red dress on your daughter was simply beautiful but the message behind it was …awesome!
and, now, i can FEEL the red… pulsing through my veins and in my heart! thank You, Jesus!! and thank you, jennifer, for an excitement-inspiring word today!! 🙂
my word verification: "ounsa" as in "now, i got an ounsa fire burnin' in my heart!!"
Oh Sharilyn … You make me smile. You've got more than an "ounsa" though. … You're got a "tonna" fire in that heart of yours.
You all are beautiful Pentecost People here! Thanks for visiting today!
When my life is lacking liturgy, I am always so thankful to come here and see my friends blogging about what's been true for the church for generations. All of us need this Holy Spirit fire in our lives, this red-dress, Jesus-love, flaming-tongue kind of fire. Thanks for putting a match under me today!
Oh, how I love this post. And that dress. And her words.
Just, wow.
I've said it before, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. YOu have a little Jesus Freak there. Isn't that awesome?
The Holy Spirit sure knows His work.
I've noticed that your daugther seems to have unusual insight into the things of God. If we/I could just get over myself and have this kind of faith, the kind Jesus told me to have, the kind Anna has, I think we'd have heaven on earth. Thanks for sharing your daughter. He sure uses these little ones doesn't he?
Wow, I love this post! Amen!
I'm runnin' red right alongside! I have never cared for red, but since I came to know the Lord, I have come to love that color…
I'm running red this week as well! Love the remembrance of Pentecost. Love living it all the more! Even so, come Holy Spirit.
peace~elaine
Oh, heavenly post as usual. I don't comment much but I read your blogs for spiritual restoration when I need it. I keep them in the Google reader and never delete them. Thank you so much for this blog!!! 🙂
so beautiful , Jennifer.
I have a daughter who would love this dress…
Love the imagery. The beating heart. I can feel it…hear it! Beautiful!