He is not here.  He is risen!

  Luke 24:6

Welcome

to the

Church of the Holy Spirit

Current Sunday Scriptures below!

Archived Scriptures in The Family Room!

 Who We Are 

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Christian church.

We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son
and
Holy Spirit the Comforter, Teacher and Healer.

We believe that God made the heavens and the earth,
 and gave all creatures His son, Jesus,
who died on the cross to forgive our sins
 and
to give us eternal life.

We believe Jesus went to heaven, he is now seated at God’s right hand,
 and
that God gave us Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us.
 
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

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Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

God is our heavenly Father who created heaven and earth.  He gave us His Son, who died on a cross to allow our sins to be forgiven and give us eternal life becoming our Lord and Savior.  When Jesus died, Holy Spirit was made available to us to comfort, teach and guide us.

God in the beginning:  Genesis 1:1
Jesus:  Matthew 1, 2 & 3
Holy Spirit:  John 15:26

Are you one with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

 If you have not accepted the Trinity into your life and you would like to, pray this prayer or use your own words from your heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins known and unknown.  Please come into my life, heal me and make me whole.  Give me a new life in and with you.  I wish to receive all that you have to give.  Baptize me in the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn all I can about you to love you, and others, as you love me.  So I can love myself.  Thank you for giving me this new life.  Please send other Christians to surround me to help me grow and be strong to defeat Satan and the things of the world.  Help me to be worthy of your love.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name I pray by and with the power of the Holy Spirit to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.” 

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If you have prayed this prayer, please email us at TrinityMissions@msn.com, so we can agree with you in prayer, praise God, and uplift you with prayer support.  We are thrilled to welcome you into the family of believers and encourage you to find a church home nearby where you can study, grow and fellowship with others.  Someone may need your support as much as you need them.  We are commanded to come together in fellowship to worship His majesty.

If you choose to fellowship with us via the web, we are honored to welcome you to the Church of the Holy Spirit.  We pray you will be enriched and uplifted in the fullness of the Trinity to their glory.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing from time to time.  As the website grows, we will have a special page for this purpose, and, you will be able to list prayers for all to see, so that we may come together as a body of believers, for ‘wherever two or more shall gather, there will I be.’   Don’t forget to send prayers of thanksgiving, as well as petitions of tears.  

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You are who I call ‘The Promise Children’, as in Romans 9:25-26 NLT:

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.  And I will love those whom I did not love before.  And, once they were told, ‘You are not my people.’  But now he will say, ‘You are children of the living God.”

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“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

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The Apostle Paul gave us a “Prayer for Spiritual Empowerment” in Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT.  It reads

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.”  

Jesus told us to remain in his love in John 15:9-13 NLT:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” 

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June 28, 2009

 Mark 1: 15 

God Is At Hand

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Mark

Jesus said, "God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel."  Taken from the King James Edition.

Jesus said, "The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!" Taken from the New International Version.

"At last the time has come!" he announced.  "The Kingdom of God is near!  Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!"  Taken from the New Living Translation.

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Thoughts...

I don't usually take A sentence or sentences out of a paragraph.  I was taught that 'text out of context is pretext'.  But this thought in conjunction with the thought throughout this paragraph is equal to the sum of its parts.  Did I say that....that is a mathematical statement.  Wow...I do know some math! 

I've chosen to highlight 3 different references to show that the point is clear and equal in all.  And to speak to the hearts of many at one time.  I prefer the NLT because it speaks to me in plain everyday English.  I can understand it....I 'get it'.  However, I do know that when it comes to studying, there are those that prefer the above texts, and so, I have made it clear here for such.  

I have in front of me The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.  For those that do not know what this is, it is like a very deep dictionary/encyclopedia of every word in scripture.  It gives us the words in English showing the Hebrew, Greek and Aramic sources and meanings.  I am going to break down this one little sentence to derive its meaning, so their can be no mistake about the very basic element of what we ALL are called to do.  The sentence quoted above is in the New Testament, and was originally written in Greek, so I will reference the Greek dictionary.        

God

Greek, theos, n.  God usually refers to the one true God; in a very few contexts it refers to a pagan god or goddess.  The "Son of God" as a title of Jesus emphasizes his unique relationship to the Father.  "The god of this age" refers to the devil.

Hand

Greek, engizo, v.  Come near, draw near;-at hand, come nigh, drew nigh, drew near, come near, draw nigh, draweth nigh, came near, came nigh, nigh, approacheth, approaching, draweth near.

Repent

Greek, metanoeo, v.  To repent, to change any or all of the elements composing one's life attitude, thoughts, and behaviors concerning the demands of God for right living:- repent, repented, repenteth.

Believe

Greek, pisteuo, v.  To believe, put one's faith in, trust, with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow; entrust;- believe, believed, believeth, believest, believing, committed, believers, commit to trust, committed to trust, committed unto, commit, put in trust.

Gospel

Greek, euangelion, n.  Gospel, good news; see also reference 2097.

2097 reads:  Greek, euangelizo, v.  To preach (bring) the good news (gospel), often with a focus on the content of the message which is brought.  In the new Testament it always refers to the death,, burial, resurrection, and wtiness about Jesus Christ, including its implications for humandkind's relationshiop to God:- preached, preach the gospel, preached the gospel, preach, preaching, the gospel preached, gospel preached, preached gospel, bring glad tidings, bring good tidings, declared, preacheth, preaching the gospel, shew glad tidings, shewing the glad tidings.    

As I read each text, I can hear the voice speaking....the KJ is a voice of angry authority....'do it or else!'  The NIV is a voice of firm authority, trying to bring gladness.  The NLT is proclaiming greatness with joy, passion and excitement!  I never could get past the 'thees' and 'thous' in the KJ to derive understanding.  And the NIV seemed to lofty for my understanding at times.  But the NLT is a voice that speaks to my very soul and can speak to us all for all times.  It set my soul on fire as I was able to understand the tenderness and love of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit like never before.  For those times I need to reference other books not in the 'protestant bible', I use the New American Catholic approved Bible.  I also use other texts to learn more about Jesus, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gnostic Gospel, etc.  Open the doors to your soul and read all you can about God, Jesus and Holy Spirit...each of their lives, and how they are one.  Read the love, passion, compassion, lessons exuding from a never ending well able to bathe us in and with all we need.  Be immersed in their love for you.  

All are called to share the Gospel.  Embrace this calling with a passion and dedication unparalled.  Use compassion, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have shown it to you.

I met a young man (17yrs old) recently who writes from his heart.  He wants to utilize compassion, as has been exampled by another earthly pastor, like God, Jesus and Holy Spirit have shown us.  I believe this young man has a high calling.  I believe he is being called to the ministry.  Such a fine and wise heart for such a young soul.  Whether that ministry is one of the verbal word or the written word remains to be seen.  But I believe with all my heart he will answer the call and indeed, follow the footsteps of the Trinity and do it with compassion.  I would advise him, might he read this today, to write not just from his heart, but from the heart of God.  That will determine his success...not at writing...but at winning souls for the Lord!   

I read a book recently that can call a weak faith or faith in testing into question for the Lord our God.  It reaffirmed my faith in my creator and Heavenly Father, God, and in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  And in Holy Spirit, as my teacher and comforter.  Are they yours, too?  Would it matter to you if Jesus was not bodily resurrected?

While you are sputtering against these words, would you consider that it should not change anything Jesus said, or negate his testimony, and would not change one thing about the gospel.

Would it matter to you if an ossuary was found to contain the bones of Jesus the Christ? 

While you are sitting back, would you consider that God is still God, and Jesus is still Jesus, and Holy Spirit is still here today with us to teach us and comfort us to help us grow in the Lord and life?

Would it change your heart, your Gospel message?

It should not.  Jesus told the two thieves on either side of him,  also hung on crosses, "Today, you shall be with me in paradise."  He knew his spirit would rise to God in heaven.  He confidently, and without equivocation, gave not only hope, but promise, with his words to the others on their crosses.  

There is no verifiable proof yet, either way, as to whether he was bodily or spiritually resurrected.  So you can take a breath...I will not lead you astray with falsehoods.  But think about how you would feel if the facts changed about his.  Would his spirit have still descended into hell?  Would he still have risen on the third day?  Would it matter?  And how would it matter?  He is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to me.  Would he still be this to you?  His spirit did return to earth...he was seen by many after he died...in spirit form as a human.  He ate with them and talked with them and showed them the wounds in his hands.  And if he had not...would it matter?  How would it matter?  Could he have just come back to life as he and the Father brought others?  And what about his bodily assumption into heaven as the apostles saw and wrote about?  Was he alive, or was he spirit when he ascended?  

I give you these thoughts to provoke a desire within you to seek him.  Go to the word...the Bible...the New Testament and learn more about who this man is you call Savior...Lord of Lord and King of Kings.  Is he that in your life?  Or are these just words you thoughtlessly toss around?  Do you bow down or rise up to meet him?  Do you speak words of life or words of death?  There is power in the spoken word.  Who the Trinity is today to you, is who he is to others around you.  What are you showing them about the Trinity?  Is God in you, or is he just a new fad?  Will you embrace him  for life as he has embraced you?  I pray you will.  I pray you will never let him go.  And look to him every day for every day answers.  None are too small for him.  He wants you to run to him with open arms with everything.  He wants to be your everything as I mentioned in last weeks 'thoughts'.  The Trinity brings new meaning...is the meaning...to the term 'Thriller'.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Those who love God will see God and peace shall reign supreme in them.               

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Let Us Pray

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on me.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on me.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the work, grant me your peace.

Grant me not only your peace Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, but a willingness to answer your call to share the Gospel message of who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and all you can be to those in the world, if they just seek, knock, they will find.  Thank you Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit for giving me truths and things to think about.  Things to spark an interest in learning more about you and what everyone said about you through first hand experience and word of mouth.  I want to know the truths about you....all the truths....so there will be no secrets between us, as I love you more.  You command us to love....tho' there are times we may not like some things...about others....about life...about myself.  But you will help me in every area of my life.  So I take up your resurrection cross and I embrace the dove....Holy Spirit.  It does not matter to me how you died, but that you died for me.  It does not matter to me how you were raised up, you are up.  It does not matter to me where anybody said you went, you are in me.  Now.  Today.  At this moment.  For always.  Thank you.  There are not enough thank yous to thank you, but thank you to the max.  I love you.  Amen.         

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May the second king of 'Thriller', Michael Jackson, rest in the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May his passion for music continue to be embraced by those in the music industry.  And may his love for life continue in the inner child in all of us, as was also in Farah Fawcett, who I also pray thanksgiving for new found peace.  Amen.

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  If God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check and I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 Melinda Norstad, Minister

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 Checks can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mountain Time

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

We hope to be integrating Pay Pal soon for your convenience.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.

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