Set on Fire 

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

So my neighbor is smoking weed.

And I’m tellin’ ya…this end of the hallway positively reeks. I swear, walk from here to the elevator and you’re going to be baked by approximation.

ANYWHO.

If my thoughts seem…well…all over the place…now you know why. 😉


Pentacost Sunday.

It was yesterday, in case you missed it. The infamous “Tongues of Fire” day where we wear red and sing about the Holy Spirit.

I’ve always had a special affection for the day. My childhood imagination would run wild, picturing the scene and what it would have been like to be there. A fantastic chaos of divinity.

But as I’m getting older, I’d be lying if I said that the day and its miraculous events are losing their luster. Maybe it’s all the special effects we’ve become accustomed to in movies and on TV, or perhaps it’s the curse of familiarity, but I found myself glazing over at church today. Which, I am not proud of.

And walking home through the loud and boisterous streets of lower Manhattan, I felt rather guilty for my lack of appreciation and wonderment.

And I realized, as I was getting accosted to buy a soggy pretzel and knockoff Oakley sunglasses, that nowadays, even if the Holy Spirit were to literally throw a tongue of fire right in front of my face, there’s so much noise and distraction all around us, that I’m afraid I wouldn’t even notice.


For a long time, my relationship with God was more of an “insurance plan.” You know – pray when you need an A on a test, or you’re scared, or you need something. I believed in and loved God, but was not really “plugged in” to the Spirit on a day to day. Maybe He’d get an “I love you – Thank you – Goodnight” at the end of the day, but other than that, He was just someone I turned to when I wanted to prevent bodily harm.

But for the seasons in my life when I actually was needing and depending on God on the daily, I realized just how often God would show up in my life. How He’d be there in the small coincidences, the beauty around me, the interactions with others, the lyrics of a song. His Spirit was alive. And on the move.

But I was thinking today: maybe the reason I saw His working in my life, was because I was deliberately looking for it.


Maybe, He is always sending down His spirit upon us, but we miss it because we’re too busy in the commotion of this life.

The tongues of fire…maybe that wasn’t such a phenomenal occurrence after all? Maybe, He just needs people to pay attention and be receptive to His Spirit?

Or maybe this is blasphemy, and I’m in jeopardy of going to hell.


But, I just wonder – what can I do to be a better listener for His spirit?

I spend so much aimless time on things that don’t even matter: things like social media. Netflix. Facebook. Instagram.

And sure, I love a good episode of The Office just like the next shmuck, but what if our free time has a higher calling? 


Maybe those precious lull moments could be used to say “hi” to God, and breathe in His Spirit, rather than compulsively refresh Facebook.

Up in that secret room, 2000 years ago, I can tell you one thing: those disciples were not engrossed in SnapChat. They were thinking about Jesus. Reflecting on God. Scared, sure. But they were tuned in. Looking for Him.

And God responded. God showed up. In a big way.

I want to be a disciple in that room. I want to be so totally fixed on Jesus that a tongue of fire literally takes over me.


Call me an eternal optimist, but I don’t think that’s out of the realm of possibility. Sure, maybe not an actual burning flame above my head, but surely, God can get creative.

God, help me to seek you everyday. Let my free time be Your time. 

And maybe, just maybe, I could receive a of Tongue of Fire, too.

****Food for thought: Where do you see God working in your life?

 

________________________________________________________________
Stay Connected!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

A big thank you to my new sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

Please check out my affiliate partners! Doing so helps you, and it helps me 🙂 Amazon, Reebok, NatureBox, Sunbasket, WPengine Webhosting, Warby Parker, Masterclass

patreon

Thank you for considering supporting BBB on Patreon! You make this blog possible 🙂

Published by

Unknown's avatar

beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

316 thoughts on “Set on Fire ”

  2. The smoke didn’t make you cloudy, your spot on. I find your posts inspiring, I need to get back into going to church. It’s been a while. Since my divorce last year actually and that’s not cool is it… I’ve searched several times for a church I can attend that’s a bit closer to me but come up empty. Seems I may be being told to go back to the church the ex and I attended? Love your photos, such a great smile! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks so much John. I hope you find a church that gets you excited about going! 🙂 Perhaps that’s where you’re being called. Maybe go and see how it feels? I will definitely keep you in my prayers as you make the transition 🙂 big hugs xox

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I see Him working everywhere, everyday in my life. From the sun rising, or rain that’s pouring, or the breathe that enters and leaves my lungs, to the fact that but for Him I shouldn’t be here. The happiness in my heart that wasn’t there before, the fact that my heart isn’t beating 13o plus beats a minute EVERY SINGLE MORNING when I wake up like it use to, to the fact that I want to live and not die, which use to be the first thought that crossed my mind when I woke up for decades, to the tears that are no longer flowing from my eyes as soon as they open, in the morning. That I am full of love and no longer despair. Shew, I could fill the page but I’ll stop there :):) God Bless you and I pray all my brothers and sisters see His wondrous miracles that are here everyday but get drowned out by all the noise that we call life. Much love and hugs my friend xoxo

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Here’s one for you: the Holy Spirit was the original world-wide-web.

    That’s a little obscure.

    We used to be really good at surrendering the needs of the world to God. Now we feel like we can do everything ourselves if we can get our friends to pay attention, and so spend all of our time trying to connect online. But I think that back in the day people would just attach an angel thought to somebody and let it do its work.

    Maybe we should get back to that. When we don’t need to pray for ourselves any longer, should we just start praying for others? Or even just celebrating? You know, “Dear God: I saw this beautiful thing today. What do you think?”

    Like

  5. We saw such a huge move of God today… A total change of heart in a situation that seemed hopeless. My hubby talked with a buddy and coached him through a trial and said ‘If you handle this correctly, you will be blessed’ and just a couple of hours later the tables turned in his favor. It’s not always that quick, but I’ve seen it enough to always be on the lookout for the hand of God.

    God still speaks and the Spirit is still alive in us 🔥

    Like

  8. In my job, it can get repetitious, supervising parents on visits with their children. It can be easy to let my mind wander, but somehow God brings my attention back on Him through the parent or even the child. My job constantly has me questioning myself on whether I’m glorifying Him in front of these families, and at the end of the day, I find myself being questioned by His spirit. Asking me if i represented God the best i could and most times, the answer is no.

    God shows up in the weirdest ways and usually at the most inconvenient times to see if we are truly focused on Him. The disciples on the Day of Pentecost were waiting for Jesus to send the Holy spirit, and it’s been sent. But all too often we ignore it when the Spirit inconveniences us

    Like

    1. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says

      Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who is not ashamed, and correctly handles the word of truth.

      Like

      2. Agreed 😊feels like it’s been forever since I’ve posted haha! Life has been busy with church changes and work! How have ya been?!

        Like

  12. A timely post. There have been times where I am so into God I can’t contain it. There have been times where I struggle to pay attention in church and can’t seem to find time to pray. I wish I were in the first place but am actually in the second. But I know He is at work here somehow and will soon surprise me in some fascinating and wondrous way.

    Thanks for this.

    Like

  13. My favourite part: “A fantastic chaos of divinity.” The divinity lies within our being and as such we have full access to God’s Spirit today! Thank you for another inspiring post.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Fantastic post!! I love the quotes you post! And I loved the picture of you, too- you’re beautiful! Lately I’ve seen Him working as I figure out where to go to college- it had been really weighing on my heart so I stopped and prayed, and the next day He answered me. We serve such a mighty and powerful God- He never fails to amaze and humble me.

    Like

      3. How do you get so many comments on your posts? I’m trying to figure out how to get my readers to reply to my posts and get more blog traffic

        Like

  17. So yes, timely post. And yes, social media & phone in general are time bandits. And yes, busyness and distraction in all its forms can quench our awareness of the Holy Spirit. But, I have no excuse not to pray, not to read my Bible, not to be drained of the world and filled with the Spirit.

    Thanks for this. Prayers for you and your family. Be careful in the Big Apple.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I’ve never commented on a post, until now 🙂 You are spot on in a lot of ways, sweet friend! The Holy Spirit is real. It is God. He is alive and He wants to give His Holy Spirit to those who seek Him diligently. You might not see a cloven tongue of fire, but it will be a life-changing experience you will not forget. Even now the Holy Spirit is with you, guiding you. But, you also want Him to be IN you! It’s the earnest of our inheritance. A seed of the divine nature that forms us into children of God. It’s important for believers to seek the Holy Spirit. Though He does not always show up when we like. The Spirit blows where He will. But, if we keep asking, He will hear you — even if it takes many years. Don’t give up!

    Like

  20. I really enjoyed this blog. I love the realness and the fact that I’m not alone with my wonderings. I too believe that if we just look for Him in the normal everyday then we would find Him. I believe He did say that if we would seek Him with all of our hearts…. well you know the rest. I know you are quite pleasing to Him and it was great that you came along side your mom while she needed you. Don’t worry about coloring outside the lines sometimes because It wasn’t God who drew those lines anyway. I know that if I didn’t know God already that I indeed would be attracted to him just by the way you reveal Him. This blog does poke me a little to look for Him more rather then griping that He isn’t active enough. That simply isn’t true but is a statement more about myself. Anyway thanks for this. Your words are life 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  22. KJV Acts 4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
    i believe this was communication without earthly language. The Holy Ghost and our souls communicate without words; souls just know what the other soul is thinking or being “told” by other souls. We are all in the mind of God. As it says in John 1.1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

    Like

  23. Reblogged this on En Courage and commented:
    Carolyn is a vibrant, witty young woman with an ability to capture Christianity and the modern culture with a captivating manner. Yesterday was Pentecost, and Caralyn’s blog, “Beauty Beyond Bones” gives some wonderful food for thought.

    Like

  25. Pastor, you are amazing! Your honesty in an online world of fabrication is so refreshing! I am praying for you and your Mom! Remember how many times in scripture the disciples doubted …..doubted Jesus! Lift up your doubt to God and have a conversation ….remember, be still to hear His whisper! Prayer is a conversation! I am in quite a bit of pain and there is more I could share but I don’t have the strength. Please visit my blog! I will post again soon! May God bless your writing ministry! Say hi to your Mom for me! Remember, God wants us to bring our doubts to Him! His Holy Spirit is always with us!

    Like

    1. Hey there Rick! oh gosh, you are too kind. think you. thank you. thank you. yes! let’s be still to hear His whisper! thanks as always for your prayers and encouragement. I definitely will! hugs xo

      Like

  26. I don’t know how much of my blog you read, but I see the Lord working through my type 1 diabetes and other ailments. I am being taught to rely on Him and realize my life is not my own. It’s rather hard to do. My entire life has changed. To list how I see Him working would take a blog post. 😉

    Like

    1. Thanks so much for sharing that. I’m sorry that you’re going through that, but I’m so glad that you’re finding His peace and strength through it all. praying for you 🙂 hugs xo

      Like

  27. Great post! I totally agree that with all the distractions of this world we fail to spend time with God. I always remember reading about how Jesus would go away from the crowds to spend time with the Father and feel convicted because I let the “crowd” take over my time. God is totally teaching me how to rely on Him more and more and ever since I have made it a priority to spend time with Him daily it has made me smile so much more knowing that I am about to step boldly into His throne room and pour my alabaster jar.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Great post! I can always spend more time with God; that’s not something I think I’ll ever stop needing improvement with.

    But I also want to comment on your pic in this post. It almost looks like “tongues of fire” coming down over your head and around your face. Coincidence?

    Like

    2. thanks so much Steve. haha, yeah, that picture was taken with that in mind! well, not exactly Pentecost, but I thought it looked like a tiara at the time…I thought it would come in handy one day and now I know why!! haha thanks for this. hugs xox

      Like

  32. I truly am thankful that you are allowing God to use your creativity to speak of His goodness and grace. You could be using it for so many other purposes, but your sensitivity to witnessing Him through little observations is like reading a giggling girl’s description of her true love – and that is a beautiful thing. Keep falling in love with the One who loved you first, and in the process others will come to know His love, too.

    Like

  33. This was a lot of fun to read! So many good points. You gave a lot of food for thought. Comments at Patreon, as always. By the way, might we say you took the high road on writing this?

    Like

      2. thanks Jeffrey. Yeah, I know – not typical for this little lady. It was my friend’s last night that she was visiting. Now back to the daily grind…And thanks, yeah I definitely always have my wits about me. Scary stuff. hope you’re having a great morning!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. The morning has been good! I’m back at the hotel to “office” away my afternoon. I’ll b able to head home from Chicago tomorrow afternoon-ish.

        Don’t be too taken with the 80’s; it also gave us leisure suits! The lead singer is fine, but the drummer needed a little help! I haven’t thought of that song for ages. Then the more I looked at the lyrics, I thought, “Well this is Pentecost! And Caralyn has had some roads to travel. Especially lately.” I’ll bet your folks remember that one!

        Enjoy busting those cleaning moves! Although I’m suddenly seeing Mrs. Doubtfire running the vacuum cleaner…

        Like

  34. I had smoke reed before but I don’t really care for it, but I also don’t have anything againts it. I do Knowles people do rely on it for being calm but after it wares off then they more stress then they was before, or that what I Knowles from people. I also an alcoholic and I have times where I do get drunk, like last night. I also found out I was being loud lastnight but I don’t recall being angry. I thinking I had something came up that kind of made me angry maybe, but I was just loud I guess.

    Like

    1. Hi Michael, thank you so much for sharing this. Yeah, if people want to smoke weed, that is definitely their prerogative. I personally don’t, but I don’t judge either way. i hope you can get some good sleep tonight! hugs xox

      Like

      1. Yeah same here I don’t judge people that smoke weed or any other soft drugs. I just don’t like weed that much myself, becuse it usually gets me an upset stomach but their was times I smoked weed awhile drinking, and people say that isn’t good using those drugs together like that. Also their people that just say’s “Smoke Weed and don’t drink.”
        Also where I live my landlord want me to go to AA and I seen one that is every week from tomorrow near me, but I knid of want to go anyways, so it’s not like I being told to really.

        Like

      3. I been to them before but living in a T-House so that was more of a crotch for me but I wasn’t in trouble, it was by choice, I also was in rehab about 28 days 4 years ago that was by choice too. In rehab they have you go to AA meetings and NA meetings since NA is branch off AA., Even know I started to drink an again after a year, I don’t drink every night like I use to, but when I do, it can be whisky or stronger beer then I use to drink, so my drinking did enhance for being sober about over a year, so that is true with people who are alcoholics, it does enhances from when you first start drinking even if you stop for awhile.

        Like

  36. The spirit is always present but you stated it–its up to each of us to respond and interact. How great that every moment is a new opportunity to do so!

    Like

  37. Nature just screams out god! Such beauty all around us. I think your right in saying we are distracted by the din around us. God speaks to us in so many ways, we just need to open our eyes and ears. Thank you for your always inspirational blog. You probably will never know how big an impact it really has. God is using you too to speak to us. Thanks for listening.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. God’s grace is excessive and He is generous with His blessings and love to us. He is constantly reaching out to us, wanting to be close to us who He lovingly made on purpose. And yes, since Satan cannot silence God, he distracts with everything possible, anti-social media, entertainment, social garbage, fake and real news, anything possible. All we have to do to hear and feel God is to stop being distracted. It is not easy in our culture but necessary to be close to God, which is where we all need to be. He rewards closeness with eternal life, love, peace, joy, wow! You hit it on the spot with your casual, contemplative loving heart way and I love you, friend. XO

    Like

  40. I love this post. Though I know we go to churches that have different doctrines, yet we follow one and the same Savior.
    I pray that God would continue to fill you with His Holy Spirit and use you in mighty ways.
    That God should use any of us for His Kingdom and glory is a wonder, and it is a humbling thing to know that any good thing we do is really Christ working through us. He is so good and His ways are past our understanding, yet He invites us to dive deep into that mystery and discover more of the eternal treasures He has stored up for us.
    Adventure is out there!

    Like

  41. Once you start seeing God’s hands at work in your life, and all those little ‘I love you’s’ he sends quietly, it starts to feel like they never stop. Be thankful for Him every day ♡

    Liked by 1 person

  42. Great post. God is working in my life in a big way- we are in a barren desert in our life right now. Life is hard, everything is going wrong, but 2 days ago my husband came to Christ. Through the ugliness of our life God drew him in. And that’s how He works

    Like

  43. So good and so true. We get so lost in the mundane that we miss the everyday miracles. May we all have a fire in our hearts to not just be followers of Christ, but disciples for Christ.

    Like

  44. Yes indeed! There’s so much distraction today, people have a hard time really focusing on God.
    We need to TAG (time alone with God). I’m thankful for Gods word and HIS Power in my life. Let us daily open His word and listen to Him. As Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear.”

    Like

  48. Honestly I semi agree with you about the fire but the way I’ve heard the spirit being described , its sounds like a vision one (or all) of them had when the spirit fell upon them, it seems to happen also in the old testament too (I’ll let look them up 😂)

    Like

  49. My dear friend

    Yes, when we open our eyes wide enough we can see God’s work. He is connected with everything as there is nothing outside God and only God exists – we are just the drops in his vast ocean of consciousness, a life that He has lent us, a body that He has given us and nevertheless we are all connected. In this connection we can see in our daily life how wonderful God is controlling and pulling the strings – as we are puppets on the strings, as He is the doer, not we, He is the worker in His own creation and we are the administrators of the life He has given us, the sunbeams of the ONE SUN – and each sunbeam wants to return to its source, its real source – return to our real Home in Him – this all we have to do in getting more conscious with eyes wide open and to see His glory – when we turn our back to our own ego (that says: I am and there you are – there are two then – but there is only ONE) then we can empty us from ourselves and become the mouth-piece of God – then God speaks through us – this does not happen by book-reading but by receptivity, by humbleness to see His work in all and everything – then we do not remember Him when we are in a bad condition but then we remember Him always as we see Him in everything and all, His devine work, then we no longer say I, I, I, then we say: YOU, YOU, YOU

    Thanks for sharing your excellent reflected experience from childhood onwards
    ALL what is good for your soul
    Didi

    Like

  50. I honestly believe we make God happy when we decide to spend time with him. When you think about how He is the creator of the vast universe and yet wants our attention! He has so much to show us and give us, but he needs our permission; he needs our time. And Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” The only way to know God is to spend time with him.

    I have asked God to remind me each day to spend time with him. So, when I think to myself, “I think I’ll go on facebook,” it comes to my mind, “Spend time with God first, then do facebook.” So I do, and am so glad I did.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to beautybeyondbones Cancel reply