There are a lot of mornings when I just do not want to get out of bed. There is no energy behind my rising. There is no purpose and no sense of excitement or wonder. Then there are those mornings when new things have happened. I have examined my conscience the night before, written down my early morning dreams, asked for God's guidance and the pieces of life's puzzle fall together. It is as if I have been "fueled" for a purpose. It is then that I am drawn again into this passion for ministry that gives my life meaning. I believe this to be a working of the Holy Spirit as I am continually stretched beyond my own comfort zone, my own safe and secure boundaries.

When the early church was born, the apostles were "filled with the Holy Spirit" and given the gift of different languages, or "tongues", which takes on different meaning with different faith perspectives. In the New International Version of the Holy Bible, Acts 2, vs.1-4, the text reads:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest of each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

That's the beginning of the story of Pentecost, the beginning of the birth of the church. The stories that come afterward trace the passion and the mission of the apostles, Peter, Paul, Timothy, and of countless others. They each had a different perspective and understanding of their sense of purpose and how they would achieve that purpose.

This issue of EcuMiniNet™ Online! shares different understandings of passion, purpose, being positive, and where that takes us in our life and faith journeys. We are excited about our new feature interview and article about artist Ronald McDowell! Ron is someone whose passion for his faith and passion for art have taken him places that he could never have gone just "by himself." EcuMiniNet™ Online! Is proud to offer some of Ron's art in the Wisdom and Wondering section of the ezine. This is the beginning, the birth, of newness-yet-more-to-come for us at EcuMiniNet™ Online!

Wishing you joy in the sharing of this "Happy Birthday" season of Pentecost: passion, purpose, and meaning for life and faith.

Blessings on you and your own personal ministries,

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