We had a member of the kirk who is considering ministry talking today. He discussed surfing. In Scotland: how he got up early, found his friends, cranked the music up and on the 3 hour drive, in midwinter to the good waves they got excited and motivated. So when they arrived at the beach — they cheerfully ran into the freezing water to surf.

And people thought they were crazy. On Pentecost, the Apostles were considered high — drunk. Crazy.

But we are not like that most days (we are Presbyterians — dour most of the time). He reflected that the apostles had been meeting and praying (he omitted the key word — together) and then Pentecost came. The time of preparation matters. If we have dreams and visions, we need to pray on them. We need to wait, to work. to prepare.

But we should not deny the spirit when it flows.

Acts 4:18-21, 23-33

18So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.

23After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah’s; 27For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

32Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

via PC(USA) – Devotions – Daily readings for Sunday, May 23, 2010.