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More of the Holy Spirit’s Work
By Stephanie Williams Dean
If we recall, the Holy Spirit’s work in the material universe is three-fold. The work of the Holy Spirit is not limited to man. The Holy Spirit’s scope of work is much wider.
As we continue to look at the Holy Spirit’s work in the universe, scripture makes it clear that the maintenance of living creatures is attributed to the agency of the Holy Spirit. One scripture, Psalm 104:24-30 (NIV), makes it clear that living creatures are brought into being through agency of the Holy Spirit – and they are maintained in being by the Holy Spirit.
“How many are your works O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. Thee the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things, When you hide your face, They are terrified; When you take away their breath, They die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, They are created, and you renew the face of the earth.”
Every living creature exists and continues with the presence of the Holy Spirit within them. Both the material being and spiritual life are maintained by the Spirit of God. Through the presence of the Spirit of God within them, living creatures exist and are maintained by that presence.
This means that the universe is maintained in its material and spiritual nature by the presence of God.
 
Going to College
By Linda H. Barnette
When I was growing up, my parents always just assumed that I would go to college. They never asked me if I wanted to, but I always knew I would. I realize now that they must have saved their money and otherwise did all they could to prepare me for higher education. They expected good grades and good behavior. It was alright if I did not help with supper or dishes as long as I was either studying or practicing the piano.
Even though neither of them had the opportunity to go to college, my aunt, Mother’s youngest sister, went to Catawba. For the first two years she drove to her classes, and for the last two years she lived on campus. She was eleven when I was born, so she and I were always close. She sometimes took me to the movies uptown or had me over to spend the night at my grandparent’s house. And when she lived on campus at Catawba, she invited me over to spend several nights in her dorm room. Because of those visits, I fell in love with Catawba.
At some point during my senior year, the librarian at the high school showed me a book with all the college information, addresses, etc. We didn’t have guidance counselors in those days and were pretty much on our own as far as going to college was concerned. I wrote a letter to Catawba and received an application form. That spring the highly anticipated acceptance letter came. During the summer, the Dean of Women sent a card with the names of my 2 roommates and my dorm assignment, 103 Zartman Hall, the same dorm my aunt had lived in.
When the time came, my parents took me there, and a whole new world opened up for this small-town girl.
I have always been grateful to my parents for my education and all of the doors that it opened for me.
 
Superstitions
By N.R. Tucker
With Halloween approaching, I was asked, “What superstitions do you believe in?” My initial response was, “None. What have I to fear from black cats, evil eyes, and such? Not walking under a ladder is more self-preservation than bad luck, as there is a danger of something falling if a worker is on the ladder.” Later, I considered my answer.
As a child, I never told anyone my birthday wish. If I did, it wouldn’t come true, and I wished for the same thing every year. Even though I never spoke those wishes aloud, I never received a horse of my very own, although my brother, who doesn’t ride, won a pony one year. Sometimes life isn’t fair.
Sometimes I won’t mention a writing project, for fear of jinxing it, and I have knocked on wood after expressing a hope or dream. That’s a superstition from the pagan belief in dryads who lived in oak trees and from the Greeks who touched an oak tree to call on Zeus for protection.
Who doesn’t respond to a sneeze with bless you? Although sources vary on the origins, the purpose of the blessing was to protect against pestilence or plagues for which there was no cure. Later, the blessing became a protection for the soul as expulsion of air from a sneeze made the person vulnerable to becoming possessed by an evil spirit. Now the phrase is a common courtesy.
As I ponder the goblins, ghosts, and other creatures of the night this Halloween, I much admit I still have a few superstitions.