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Last week I was invited to join the ESL teachers and staff for Dim Sum at a Chinese restaurant.

A highlight was flamed lobster. The restaurant owner brought a plate with a large lobster and rice in a bowl. He poured alcohol on the rice. With our cell phone cameras ready, he took a lighter and lit the rice. The flame shot into the air.

This reminded me that Pentecost is coming. Let me read Acts 2:1-4:

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 on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Watching the flames, I pray, “Lord, may you light our lives with your grace and your presence, with the power of the Holy Spirit, that we would be ready to serve you, full of anticipation and expectation.”

This Sunday is Pentecost. I pray we will seek the Lord, that he will pour out his Spirit upon us, that flames of his love and his presence and his grace will fill our lives, and that we will have the desire and passion to share Jesus.

Let's pray.

Lord, as we approach Pentecost, meet with us. Where we look for hope and healing, bring your power upon us. Where we are anxious, bring your presence and hope upon us. Most of all, Lord, fill us with your Spirit. And thank you, Lord, that by your Spirit, you transform us, renew us, and keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

視頻大意翻譯 (video Chinese translation):

上周我被邀請去參加英文班老師和同工到一家中餐館吃午餐。

有個高潮是火燒龍蝦。餐館老闆端來了一個盤子，碗裡裝著一隻大龍蝦和米飯。他把酒倒在米飯上。在準備好我們的手機後，他拿起打火機，點火燒了米飯，火焰射向空中。

這提醒了我，五旬節即將來臨。讓我讀使徒行傳 2：1-4：

五旬節到了、門徒都聚集在一處。忽然從天上有響聲下來、好像一陣大風吹過、充滿了他們所坐的屋子。又有舌頭如火焰顯現出來、分開落在他們各人頭上。他們就都被聖靈充滿、按着聖靈所賜的口才、說起別國的話來。

看著火焰，我禱告說：”主啊，願你用你的恩典和你的同在，以聖靈的力量照亮我們的生命，使我們充滿期待和盼望準備服事你。”

這個星期天是五旬節。願我們尋求主，祈求祂將聖靈澆灌在我們身上，祈求祂的愛、祂的同在和恩典的火焰充滿我們的生命，讓我們有渴望和熱情來分享耶穌。

讓我們禱告。

主啊，當我們臨近五旬節時，請與我們相遇。在我們尋找希望和醫治時，賜我們你的力量。在我們焦慮時，請把你的同在和希望賜給我們。最重要的是，主，願你的聖靈充滿我們。主啊，感謝你，靠著你的聖靈，你改變了我們，更新了我們，並使我們的目光定睛在耶穌身上。奉耶穌的名。阿門。

The Lord bless you.

Grace and peace
Pastor Callum