05/23/2026
‘Thy Kingdom Come’ thoughts for today as we approach Pentecost on Sunday:
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers... 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. [2 Timothy 1:3,5]
The promise
To be honest the promise through generations isn’t always what we would most want. What would we not give for the assurance that our children and their children would love and serve the Lord? But we get no such assurances. And we know it isn’t just easy.
This is because God can only promise for Himself. Not for another. And He continues to respect and uphold the dignity of human freedom to respond to His loving kindness. But what is promised is the immediacy of His presence on ‘all people’ – ‘sons and daughters will prophesy... young men will see visions, old men will dream dreams... [Joel 2:28] God working in young and old, for the sake of other people.
The gift
The gift of the Spirit is poured out on all – regardless of age, experience, standing, seniority or position. In fact, it seems that God pours out the gift of sincere faith on Timothy through his mother and grandmother. We can be the means by which the Spirit cascades through the generations. With each of us more ready to give than to receive.
The difference
Because the body of Christ has this dynamic which necessitates an expectancy to receive from every generation, across all backgrounds, it requires each of us to be open, alert and receptive to all, particularly those younger or older than us. The gifts of the Holy Spirit bind us together in dependence on one another. And in the pattern of giving and receiving we flow with the Spirit’s free work.
There is no other community in the world who celebrates this intergenerational life.
The prayer
Imagine how belonging to a community of all generations could remake your five friends. Pray that God might touch their lives through His multi-aged body.
‘We ask that You send the Holy Spirit as a holy offering to the holy church. As we assemble, give to all the saints the fullness of the Holy Spirit for the confirmation of true faith so that we may praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom glory and honour to the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit in Your holy church are Yours now and forever! Amen.’ [Hippolytus of Rome, ca. 170–ca. 235]
What a surprise to see this little family camped outside Krogers a few days ago!
